We have recently demonstrated that the shared epitope (SE) contributes to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis by acting as a ligand that activates pro-osteoclastogenic signal transduction events. Given the association between RA and periodontal disease (PD), and the association of both conditions with HLA-DRB1 alleles that code the SE motif, here we will examine the hypothesis that this motif may directly contribute to bone damage severity in PD due to its signal transduction effects. The research plan has 2 specific aims:
Specific Aim 1 will examine the effect of an exogenously added SE in a mouse model of PD, using a novel small SE-mimetic compound, cQKRAA which contains a common SE sequence motif. This SE-mimetic ligand has been recently shown to have potent pro-osteoclastogenic effects in vitro and in vivo.
In Specific Aim 2 we will examine the effect of endogenous SE, using transgenic mice expressing HLA-DR molecules with the SE sequence, or control SE-negative sequence. In preliminary studies, the SE transgenic mice were found to have enhanced osteoclastogenic propensity. In both aims, the specificity of the SE effects on the severity of PD will be determined by inhibiting it with a novel specific SE-antagonistic compound. Thus, using novel research tools, the proposed studies will examine a new concept in the pathogenesis of PD. In the long run, the proposed research could provide a scientific basis for future studies to develop new therapeutic strategies for this common disease.

Public Health Relevance

The project proposed here will examine the effect of a novel compound on the immune system and bone biology. The newly discovered effect of this chemical could provide important insights into the mechanism of gum disease, which is a significant public health problem. The results of the study could help identify new therapies for the disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21DE023845-02
Application #
8871564
Study Section
Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences Study Section (ODCS)
Program Officer
Atkinson, Jane C
Project Start
2014-07-01
Project End
2017-06-30
Budget Start
2015-07-01
Budget End
2017-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073133571
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
van Drongelen, Vincent; Holoshitz, Joseph (2017) Human Leukocyte Antigen-Disease Associations in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 43:363-376
Chukkapalli, Sasanka; Rivera-Kweh, Mercedes; Gehlot, Prashasnika et al. (2016) Periodontal bacterial colonization in synovial tissues exacerbates collagen-induced arthritis in B10.RIII mice. Arthritis Res Ther 18:161
Gehlot, Prashasnika; Volk, Sarah L; Rios, Hector F et al. (2016) Spontaneous destructive periodontitis and skeletal bone damage in transgenic mice carrying a human shared epitope-coding HLA-DRB1 allele. RMD Open 2:e000349
Rios, Hector F; Bashutski, Jill D; McAllister, Bradley S et al. (2015) Emerging Regenerative Approaches for Periodontal Reconstruction: Practical Applications From the AAP Regeneration Workshop. Clin Adv Periodontics 5:40-46
Cochran, David L; Cobb, Charles M; Bashutski, Jill D et al. (2015) Emerging regenerative approaches for periodontal reconstruction: a consensus report from the AAP Regeneration Workshop. J Periodontol 86:S153-6