Piezo1 and special blood vessels in gum disease
Official title: Piezo1- Mediated Type H Vessel Formation in Periodontitis
Funded at Nova Southeastern University · NIH-11361091 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher is studying how a brain-like sensor in blood vessels called Piezo1 helps form special vessels in the jaw bone to reduce bone loss in periodontitis, with goals that could lead to new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nova Southeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Lauderdale-Davie, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $101,356 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DE034069-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361091 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with periodontitis or a history of periodontal bone loss who could participate in future clinical trials or receive biomarkers from related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without periodontal bone loss or those unlikely to be eligible for related clinical studies may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Periodontitis is an inflammatory bone disease linked to gum microbiome imbalance. This project focuses on Piezo1 in endothelial cells and its potential to drive Type H vessel formation, which supports bone growth. The aim is to show that activating Piezo1 can polarize blood vessels toward Type H phenotypes and reduce immune cell entry into alveolar bone, potentially limiting bone loss. The study uses laboratory models to test how Piezo1 activation affects vessel type and its downstream effects on osteoclast precursors. Results could guide new therapeutic approaches for preserving bone in periodontal disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that preserve jawbone by promoting protective blood vessels and limiting bone destruction in periodontitis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous evidence suggests endothelial Piezo1 influences vessel behavior, but translating this to periodontal bone protection is novel and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale-Davie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shindo, Satoru — Nova Southeastern University
- Study coordinator: Shindo, Satoru
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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.