# Trigeminal nociceptors: Neural intersection of chronic pain and alveolar bone remodeling

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2022 · $994,208

## Abstract

Orofacial tissues are richly innervated by nociceptive primary afferents (or nociceptors). Nociceptors transmit
pain signals into brain in response to harmful stimuli. Nociceptors also intricately regulate homeostasis of
innervated tissues by controlling host responses. Under injury or infection, dysfunctional nociceptors lead to
the development of pathological chronic pain and abnormal destructive responses of affected tissues. Dr.
Chung’s unique R35 program addresses dual roles of trigeminal nociceptors in two fundamental areas in oral
health. Dr. Chung is a dentist scientist, who has devoted his career to craniofacial neuroscience research
focused on trigeminal nociceptors. He will continue his ongoing craniofacial pain studies by testing the
hypothesis that long-term silencing of nociceptive afferents is analgesic, and that the effects are sufficient to
reverse maladaptive neuroplastic changes of brain regions associated with chronic pain. Moreover, Dr. Chung
is revisiting his long-term interest in tooth-related neurobiology, and will investigate the neuroimmune and
neuroskeletal regulatory mechanisms of alveolar bone destruction and remodeling. He hypothesizes that
nociceptive afferents regulate periodontal host responses under periodontal infection or orthodontic force to
control pathophysiological remodeling of alveolar bone. Dr. Chung’s research in these areas is aimed at
elucidating the mechanisms of chronic pain and alveolar bone remodeling, and their intersection with trigeminal
nociceptors. The anticipated outcomes will likely have significant impact, not only in elucidating basic
mechanisms but also in translational areas including development of novel methods to control chronic pain and
alveolar bone remodeling by regulating nociceptive afferents or nociceptor-enriched molecules.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10440485
- **Project number:** 5R35DE030045-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Man-Kyo Chung
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $994,208
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-08 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10440485

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10440485, Trigeminal nociceptors: Neural intersection of chronic pain and alveolar bone remodeling (5R35DE030045-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10440485. Licensed CC0.

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