Understanding how specific molecules in saliva help heal oral wounds
Official title: The function role of salivary piRNAs in oral wound healing
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10978145 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special RNA molecules in saliva help heal mouth injuries, which could lead to better treatments for people with long-lasting oral wounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $196,875 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DE034146-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10978145 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with chronic oral wounds or conditions that impair oral healing, such as cleft palate or chronic diseases affecting oral health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without chronic oral wounds or those not experiencing issues related to oral healing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specific types of RNA found in saliva, known as piRNAs, in the healing process of oral wounds. It aims to uncover how these molecules contribute to the rapid and effective healing of injuries in the mouth, which is crucial for patients suffering from chronic oral wounds. By studying the behavior of keratinocytes, the cells responsible for forming the outer layer of the skin and mucous membranes, the research seeks to identify new therapeutic targets that could enhance tissue repair. The findings could lead to improved treatments for patients with chronic oral wounds, helping them heal more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly improve the healing of chronic oral wounds, enhancing patients' quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific role of piRNAs in oral wound healing is a novel area of investigation, similar research on non-coding RNAs in other healing processes has shown promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Feng — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Li, Feng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Immunomodulatory therapy to speed up healing after oral cavity injuries in kids
A new approach using a drug called FTY720 aims to improve healing and reduce pain after oral injuries or palate surgery in children.
-
Aiming to slow dangerous lung inflammation to help fight bacterial infections like tuberculosis
A patient-facing program tests whether stopping a specific inflammatory cell (Spp1+ macrophages) from overreacting can help control tuberculosis and possibly improve outcomes in other inflammatory diseases.
-
Engineered protein materials to study wound healing and blood vessels
A researcher team at the University of New England is studying how the environment around a protein changes its behavior to better understand wound healing and blood vessel formation.
-
Understanding how healing tissue uses tiny messengers and scaffolds to repair wounds
A study to learn how cells talk to each other and how tiny vesicles and the extracellular matrix help skin wounds heal better.
-
Hormone signals and sex differences in how wounds heal
This grant explores how male- and female-specific hormones affect wound healing and scarring, with the goal of improving treatments for people who heal poorly.
-
Therapeutic extracellular vesicles to boost skin wound healing
A research grant is exploring how tiny cell messengers called extracellular vesicles can be engineered to improve skin wound repair in injury models.
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.