PERIOx: How body fats and immune signals affect dental implant biofilms
Official title: PERIOx - PERI implant Oxylipin mediated biofilm colonization
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11464852 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study will look at how substances released by the body’s fats and immune cells influence dental implant biofilms in people with peri-implant disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 14, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $435,875 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DE036460-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11464852 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with dental implants experiencing peri-implant disease who may contribute dental tissue or related samples for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without peri-implant disease or those not undergoing sample collection would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This is a short, early-stage NIH project using dental tissue from people with peri-implant disease to explore how oxylipins (lipid-based signals) interact with neutrophil activity and biofilm growth around implants. The researchers will measure oxylipins in dental tissue and test whether 5-HETE from neutrophils increases NETosis and strengthens biofilms. The goal is to uncover mechanisms behind rapid bone loss around implants and identify potential targets to improve implant prognosis. Participants would contribute tissue or samples as part of standard dental care or related studies, if eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these mechanisms could lead to new strategies to prevent or slow peri-implant bone loss and improve implant longevity.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows biofilms can hijack host lipids and neutrophil responses, but this specific oxylipin–NETosis link in peri-implant disease is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sinha, Mithun — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Sinha, Mithun
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.