College of Dentistry - Research - Bioregulation Group
Bioregulation Group: | Immunology & Inflammation | Bone Physiology | Collaboration | Facilities | Members & Research Interests | Equipment
Experimental Bone Turnover
The periodontium (gum, mucosa and underlying bone) provides a unique in
vivo opportunity to study the sequence of inflammatory cell cytokine production
and immunoregulation following tooth movement, bacterial insult, or wounding.
Movement of the tooth within the periodontal ligament space, introduction
of bacterial products, or bone regenerative procedures result in an influx
of inflammatory cells leading to increased local levels of cytokines and
markers of bone turnover. These products can be sampled from specific microenvironments
with special devices and analyzed (ELISA). Such approaches allow identification
of protocols where local or systemic drug interventions would be most effective.
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic bacterial insult, modulated by genetic and other environmental factors,
is the hallmark of inflammatory periodontal disease with alveolar bone destruction.
This disease also provides an accessible source of inflammatory cells and
products to study the nature of chronic inflammation. BRG investigators
are probing cytokine/inflammatory mediator profiles and mechanisms of production
in gingival exudate and exudate from specific microenvironments, and in
cell extraction/culture. By understanding the association of cytokines with
periodontal inflammation and bone destruction, the use of contradictory
cytokines or cytokine antagonists will be possible for alveolar bone loss
prevention and regeneration. Anti-inflammatory therapy, inhibition of host-derived
tissue-destructive matrix metalloproteinases, and local delivery of antibiotics
also are being studied.
Last modified:
April 2, 2007 6:14 PM