# Structure and Biology of the Cementum as a Function of Age and Disease

> **NIH NIH K99** · MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $108,865

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Aging is an inevitable progressive series of events that effect all living organisms. Structural and compositional
changes that occur to mineralized tissues during aging can deteriorate their function and regeneration.
Cementum is a connective mineralized tissue that provides support, by attaching collagen fibrils from the
periodontal ligament to the tooth, and function by absorbing mechanical loads during mastication. Periodontal
disease is an infections chronic inflammatory condition that is highly prevalent in the older population and directly
effects the biology and function of the cementum. However, the underlying functional properties of cementum
with aging are not fully elucidated. The hypothesis is that modifications to the composition and structure will
degrade the functionality and regeneration of the cementum with aging, and potentially enhance the progression
of periodontal disease. The proposed aims consist of identifying the biochemical, structural, and mechanical
features of the aging cementum (Aim 1), defining the state of periodontally involved cementum as a function of
age (Aim 2) and delineating in vivo biochemical, physico-mechanical and molecular mechanisms in cementum
to unveil the impact of aging and periodontal disease using ligature-induced periodontitis model (Aim 3). The
aims of this proposal integrate important events (aging and disease) of living organisms, in particular their effects
in oral health. This proposal is elaborated based on the candidate’s biomaterials and matrix biology experience
and plans to support the achievement of specialized skills in cementum biology, structural and protein analysis,
and in vivo animal models to pursue an independent research career. An experienced advisory team was
assembled to provide expertise in tooth ultrastructure and biomechanics (Dr. Ana Bedran-Russo, primary
mentor), protein analysis and murine periodontitis model (Dr. Afsar Naqvi, co-mentor), immunohistochemistry
and regeneration (Dr. Xianghong Luan, co-mentor), morphometrics (Dr. Jeffrey Toth, collaborator), clinical
periodontics support (Dr. Vrisiis Kofina) and ECM proteomics and bioinformatics (Dr. Alexandra Naba,
consultant). The career development plan is structured to advance in the gaps of scientific and professional skills
related to the aims of the proposal. It is composed of didactic courses, workshops and activities that combined
with an organized mentoring dynamic will allow the candidate to achieve specific milestones to obtain an
independent faculty position. The completion of the proposed aims will reveal uncharted areas of the structure,
biology and biomechanics of the cementum as a function of age and disease, and the impact of these processes
on cementum regeneration. Potential molecular mechanisms of cementum aging elucidated in this proposal
could build a foundation for understanding mineral-to-matrix interactions and their probable roles in the
functionality and regeneration of miner...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10507239
- **Project number:** 1K99DE032049-01
- **Recipient organization:** MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Mariana Cavalcante Reis-Havlat
- **Activity code:** K99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $108,865
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10507239

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10507239, Structure and Biology of the Cementum as a Function of Age and Disease (1K99DE032049-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10507239. Licensed CC0.

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