Diabetes-Driven Changes in Dendritic Cells and T Cells in Gum Disease
Official title: Diabetes Dysregulated Dendritic - T cell Activity in Periodontitis
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11432627 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how poorly controlled diabetes alters immune cells in periodontitis to worsen gum disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $521,273 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE036259-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11432627 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with poorly controlled diabetes who have or are at risk for periodontitis.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without diabetes or without gum disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
If you have adult-onset diabetes, this research looks at how high blood sugar changes immune cells in your gums and makes periodontitis worse. The team will examine how diabetes affects dendritic cells and T cells, focusing on a specific costimulatory pathway that may drive inflammation. The work combines data from both human gingival samples and animal models to understand epigenetic changes that shift immune responses toward damage. Findings could reveal targets to reduce gum inflammation and protect teeth in people with diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new treatments that lessen gum disease and associated health problems in people with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests immune-cell dysregulation is linked to diabetic periodontitis, making this approach plausible though specific mechanisms are being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Graves, Dana T — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Graves, Dana T
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.