Investigating human host-microbiome interactions in periodontitis.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating human host-microbiome interactions in periodontitis.
IRAS ID
141097
Contact name
D. V. Clerehugh
Contact email
Research summary
Periodontitis is characterised by receding gums, pain and the destruction of tissue and bone that ultimately leads to tooth loss. A wide spectrum of microbes live within the mouth, many species known as commensal microbes do no damage and may offer protection against pathogenic species that do cause disease. Although some particular disease associated microbes have been linked with periodontitis, the picture is incomplete. Microbes themselves are not wholly responsible for the tissue damage seen in periodontitis. The immune system detects and responds to disease causing microbes in an attempt to eradicate or control their numbers. Our immune system can cause damage to our own tissues if not adequately controlled. Tissue damage in periodontitis is likely to occur as a result of both microbal activity and host immune responses to it.
The effects of periodontitis are not limited to the mouth but can be detected elsewhere in the body for example some components of the immune system are raised in the blood stream in patients with periodontitis. Such changes could explain why periodontitis is a risk factor for other health problems located at distant sites.
This project will address the following aims.
• To optimise the scientific methods required to study samples of plaque and oral fluids and blood in order to produce thorough profiles of oral microbial communities, and the immune responses to them.
• To compare these detailed profiles representing healthy mouths with those where periodontitis is present to identify microbial species, activities and responses that may be key for the development of this disease.
The desired outcome from this project is to generate knowledge to aid the design of treatments that can block particular routes through which disease develops and aid future investigations into why periodontitis puts patients at risk from other health conditions distant from the mouth.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/0010
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jan 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion