Mucosa, Immunology & Oral Cancer Research
The response of the lining of the mouth and associated skin to environmental factors, local and systemic disease, the aging process, and traumatic injury, is not well understood. Nevertheless, such responses have important implications for preventing or treating periodontal disease, oral cancer, and other soft tissue diseases. Investigating the chemical composition, structure, and permeability of this system of tissues will lead to a better understanding of the barrier function of these tissues as a defense against microorganisms and carcinogens. Studying the action of tobacco components and alcohol on the mouth lining will help better define the etiology of oral cancer and how tobacco use may contribute to periodontal disease. And understanding the interactions between the immune system and oral cancer will lead to better treatment strategies.
- Primary researcher: Kim Brogden
- Dr. Brogden's area of research focuses on the basic parameters of defensin-induced adaptive immunity in the oronasal cavity. This includes identifying the defensins involved, assessing the defensin-induced response to Porphyromonas gingivalis HagB, fimbriae, and capsular polysaccharide, and elucidating the basic mechanism through defensin-stimulated dendritic cells. These studies may identify ways to augment and direct and adaptive immune response that would likely hinder the pathogensis of periodontal disease (e.g., class switching of antibodies to high avidity isotypes, etc.) and possibly lead to the realization of an elaborate innate immune signaling system that processes bacterial antigens differently.
- Primary researcher: Chris Squier Relationship between the permeability of mucosal tissues and the pathogenesis of disease and tobacco control and cessation.
- Primary researcher: Georgia Johnson Effects of tobacco products on oral soft tissues, their effects on inflammatory mediators involved in oral disease, and the impact of smoking on periodontal treatment outcomes; the role of naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides in periodontal disease and in clinical dental implant research.
- Primary researcher: Phillip Wertz
- Biochemistry; structures, function and metabolism of lipids in epidermis and oral epithelium.