# The Impact of Race/Ethnicity on Inflammation Regulation and Microbiome Interactions in Periodontitis

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · 2022 · $253,514

## Abstract

Project Summary/ Abstract
In the United States, the prevalence of periodontitis is greatest in Mexican Americans (59.7%) and non-Hispanic
Blacks (56.6%). Severe periodontitis is also more prevalent in these populations; non-Hispanic Blacks (14.7%)
and Mexican Americans (13.4%). Although race and ethnicity are associated with periodontal disease
prevalence and severity, there is lack of convincing evidence of biological factors explaining the differences.
Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) induce resolution of inflammation by actively regulating cellular
activity of immune cells and stromal cells signaling through specific G protein–coupled receptors. Resolution of
inflammation induced by SPMs reverses dysbiotic shifts of the oral microbiota in experimental periodontitis
models. SPMs and SPM pathway markers are associated with clinical periodontitis and abnormalities in SPM
production and function in forms of periodontitis disproportionately affecting certain racial/ethnic groups. The
impact of race/ethnicity in resolution of inflammation in severe periodontitis has not been investigated.
This study aims to investigate molecular profiles of resolution of inflammation in Mexican Americans with severe
periodontitis. Four subject groups will be recruited; Mexican Americans and White Americans with severe
periodontitis (generalized, stage III/ IV, grade B/C), Mexican American and White American healthy controls.
The hypothesis, supported by our preliminary data, is that Mexican Americans with severe periodontitis will
exhibit distinct profiles of lipid mediators that promote inflammation, including SPMs, SPM pathway markers as
well as pro-inflammatory lipid mediators, SPM receptors, and an associated subgingival microbiome dysbiosis,
compared to White Americans. The following specific aim is proposed: Characterize the local and systemic
profiles of SPMs, SPM pathway markers, SPM receptors and the subgingival microbiome in Mexican Americans
and White Americans with severe periodontitis. We plan to analyze lipid mediator levels, SPM receptor
expression and the subgingival microbiome in multiple biological specimens including gingiva, plasma, serum,
neutrophils, monocytes and subgingival plaque. Correlations between lipid mediator levels, receptor expression
and relative bacterial abundance will be analyzed with the Data Integration Analysis for Biomarker discovery
using a Latent compOnents (DIABLO) method, which can identify key molecules or microorganisms associated
with resolution of periodontal inflammation which cannot be identified by traditional statistical methods.
We expect that local and systemic resolution of inflammation profiles and composition of the subgingival
microbiome in Mexican Americans will be different from those in White Americans. The correlation signatures
between lipid mediator, SPM receptor and subgingival microbiome in these subjects will also be distinct. These
results will advance the understanding of the role of re...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10593396
- **Project number:** 1R21DE031440-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Chun-Teh Lee
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $253,514
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-19 → 2024-09-18

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10593396

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10593396, The Impact of Race/Ethnicity on Inflammation Regulation and Microbiome Interactions in Periodontitis (1R21DE031440-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10593396. Licensed CC0.

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