Understanding B Cells to Help Treat Gum Disease
Official title: Regulatory B Cell in the Amelioration of Immune-Mediated Periodontal Disease
Funded at Nova Southeastern University · NIH-11063838 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how special immune cells called B10 cells can help calm inflammation and protect against bone loss in gum disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nova Southeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Lauderdale-Davie, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 6, 2015 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $531,416 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE025255-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063838 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with immune-mediated periodontal disease who experience significant gum inflammation and bone loss might eventually benefit from therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without periodontal disease or those whose condition is not primarily driven by immune-mediated inflammation may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
This project looks at how certain immune cells, called B10 cells, can reduce the inflammation and bone damage often seen in gum disease. We've found that these B10 cells, when activated, can release a calming substance called IL-10, which helps stop inflammation and bone loss in animal models. Our newer findings suggest that B10 cells might also work by interacting directly with other immune cells called macrophages, encouraging them to switch into a "healing" mode. This interaction could lead to the production of natural substances that help resolve inflammation. By understanding these processes, we hope to find new ways to protect your teeth and gums from the damaging effects of severe gum disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that use the body's own immune system to reduce inflammation and prevent bone loss in patients with periodontal disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work by this team has shown that B10 cells can reduce inflammation and bone loss in experimental models, and other researchers have also highlighted the anti-inflammatory roles of these cells.
Where this research is happening
-
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale-Davie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Han, Xiaozhe — Nova Southeastern University
- Study coordinator: Han, Xiaozhe
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.