Epigenetic approaches to reduce gum disease and rebuild lost jaw bone
Official title: Potentials of Epigenetic Molecules in Attenuating the Phenotypes of Periodontitis
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11086151 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are exploring whether drugs and microRNA tools that change gene activity can calm inflammation and help rebuild bone in adults with periodontitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $659,847 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE032006-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086151 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) with periodontitis, especially those with alveolar bone loss, would be the people who could ultimately benefit from therapies developed here.
✕Less likely to help
Because the project is primarily laboratory and animal research, patients will not receive direct treatments from this grant during the current work.
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the team is working with drugs that alter how genes are turned on and off and with small RNA molecules that promote bone formation to tackle the inflammation and bone loss of periodontitis. Most work is done in the lab using cells and mouse models to see which epigenetic agents best stop destructive inflammation and stimulate the body’s own bone-regenerating signals. The researchers previously found that a BET protein blocker called JQ1 reduced gum inflammation and bone loss in mice and are following up on that plus a specific microRNA (miR-335-5p) that encourages bone formation. The goal is to identify candidate therapies that could later move into human testing if results are promising.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce gum inflammation and restore lost alveolar bone, improving tooth stability and oral health.
How similar studies have gone: Related epigenetic and microRNA approaches have shown promise in other inflammatory and bone-related research, but applying BET inhibitors like JQ1 and miR-335-5p specifically to periodontitis is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Jake Jinkun — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Chen, Jake Jinkun
Related research
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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.