How gum tissue stays attached to teeth
Molecular mechanisms mediating the soft tissue attachment to teeth
['FUNDING_R01'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11261539
Researchers are looking at the stem cells and signals that keep the gum sealed to teeth to help people with gum damage or at risk of tooth loss.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | STANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11261539 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is studying the thin layer of gum that seals teeth (the junctional epithelium) to understand how it is maintained and rebuilt after injury. In lab models they will switch off a key signaling pathway called Wnt and use genetic tags and harmless viral tools to follow which cells repair the gum. They will also create small, controlled gum injuries to watch regeneration and measure cell division, attachment proteins, and inflammation over time. The goal is to map the cells and signals needed for a strong gum-tooth attachment that protects the underlying ligament and bone.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with gum disease, gum recession, or those recovering from gum surgery would be the kinds of patients most likely to benefit from findings arising from this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose tooth problems are driven mainly by advanced bone loss, severe systemic illness, or congenital tooth structure defects may not receive direct benefits from these early mechanistic studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to boost gum repair and prevent tooth attachment loss by targeting stem cells or their signals.
How similar studies have performed: Related research in other tissues shows Wnt signaling can aid repair and the investigators previously found Wnt-responsive stem cells in the gum, but translating this into human treatments remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
STANFORD, UNITED STATES
- STANFORD UNIVERSITY — STANFORD, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HELMS, JILL A — STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: HELMS, JILL A
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 below.