# Microparticles Modulating Regulatory T cells in Periodontal Disease

> **NIH NIH R03** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2021 · $143,504

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Periodontal disease (PD) is chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by the infection of gingiva, connective
tissue and alveolar bone. Dense immune cell infiltrates are characteristic in PD, of which T cells are key
mediators of the host response and are significant participants in PD progression. Among the participating T
cell subsets, regulatory T cells (Treg) have been identified in PD-affected tissue and generally function to
suppress pro-inflammatory T cells. However, in chronic inflammatory lesions, Treg may lose immunoregulatory
function and, instead, produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. We hypothesize that restoring Treg function will
influence the immune response in PD. To test the hypothesis, the project will develop immunomodulatory
microparticles to functionally stabilize Treg in periodontal tissue. The project comprises two aims – Aim 1 will
optimize the synthesis of biodegradable microparticles for encapsulating immunomodulatory factors. We will
measure and tune the rate of release to sustain biologically relevant concentrations for mediating
immunomodulation. By measuring in vitro immunophenotypic stability and cytokine production by Treg, we will
assess bioactivity of the released factors. Aim 2 will test microparticle delivery in a mouse periodontitis model.
We will measure in vivo degradation and quantify the local enhancement of Treg mediated by the
microparticles. We will conduct functional measurements by measuring the concentrations of associated
cytokines and tissue inflammation using histomorphometry-based analysis. Overall, the experiments will
evaluate the feasibility of in vivo Treg expansion and stabilization for attenuating inflammation in PD. The PI is a
New Investigator with expertise in drug delivery, tissue engineering and immunology and will collaborate with
the co-I, a clinician-scientist with expertise in autoimmune disease with a focus on how inflammation-induced
Treg instability results in pathogenic production of inflammatory cytokines. The results from the project will
assess the feasibility of microparticle-mediated modulation of inflammatory T cells in PD and lead to a R01
grant application to comprehensively characterize immunomodulation for durably controlling chronic
inflammation in PD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10285799
- **Project number:** 1R03DE031009-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Nisarg J. Shah
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $143,504
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10285799

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10285799, Microparticles Modulating Regulatory T cells in Periodontal Disease (1R03DE031009-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10285799. Licensed CC0.

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