Understanding how ENPP1 affects bone and tooth formation
Official title: ENPP1 Roles and ATP Metabolism in Cementogenesis
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11139168 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific enzyme called ENPP1 affects the health of your bones and teeth, especially how it helps form a key part of your teeth called cementum, which is important for dental health, and it aims to find new ways to help people with dental and bone issues caused by ENPP1 mutations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $155,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DE034020-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11139168 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with mutations in the ENPP1 gene or those experiencing dental and skeletal abnormalities related to mineralization.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any dental or skeletal abnormalities or those not affected by ENPP1-related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the ENPP1 enzyme in regulating mineralization processes critical for bone and tooth health. By focusing on how ENPP1 modulates the levels of ATP and pyrophosphate, the study aims to uncover mechanisms that could promote the formation of cementum, a vital component of dental structure. The research will explore the implications of ENPP1 mutations, which can lead to dental and skeletal abnormalities, particularly in conditions like Generalized Arterial Calcification of Infancy. Through laboratory assays and biological modeling, the project seeks to identify potential therapeutic strategies for improving dental health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance tooth and bone formation, potentially benefiting individuals with dental abnormalities.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific modulation of ENPP1 for cementogenesis is a novel approach, related research has shown success in understanding the role of pyrophosphate in mineralization processes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chu, Emily Yin — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Chu, Emily Yin
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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.