Monday, January 12, 2026 1/12/2026

Epigenetic Regulation of Periodontal Inflammation

Award Number: R01DE028915
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2026

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Epigenetic Regulation of Periodontal Inflammation - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Periodontitis is initiated by a dysbiotic microbial community; however, it is the host immune response to the microbial insults that ultimately causes the damage to the tooth supporting complex. There are considerable limitations to the current standard of care for treatment of periodontal diseases, which is focused on eliminating the biofilms. Increasing evidence indicates that the susceptibility to periodontitis is largely determined by the host response. Therapies targeting the uncontrolled, overly aggressive inflammation are critical not only for blocking the diseases but also for the reconstruction of a healthy periodontal ecosystem. Epigenetic regulation such as histone acetylation is essential for inflammatory gene expression. A specific histone acetylation pattern is proposed in inflammatory diseases including periodontitis. Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins are the “reader” that mediate the epigenetic marks to the transcription machinery. BET inhibitors are an emerging class of epigenetic drugs for inflammatory diseases. Recently, we found that RVX-208, a selective BET inhibitor that is being tested in a Phase 3 clinical trial for cardiovascular diseases, significantly suppresses inflammatory cytokine production and inhibits osteoclast differentiation. These findings suggested that histone acetylation and BET proteins may have important roles in periodontal inflammation, and may be potential diagnostic markers and pharmaceutical targets for periodontitis. To better understand epigenetic regulation in periodontitis and develop a novel therapeutic for periodontitis, we propose to 1) Identify the histone acetylation and BET protein expression profile in periodontitis patients; 2) Define the role of BET proteins in periodontal inflammation; 3) Determine if targeting histone acetylation by a selective BET inhibitor can ameliorate periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss in vivo. The proposed studies will generate critical clinical data to support the importance of epigenetic regulation in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and help us develop the first “epi” drug to treat the diseases. 1


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2024	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	5	12/17/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2024	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	5	12/12/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $361,936 )
2024	2024	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	5	6/14/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$29,545
2024	2024	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	5	1/17/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$332,391
														Subtotal = $361,936

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $369,344 )
2023	2023	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	4	2/23/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$36,934
2023	2023	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	4	1/6/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$332,410
														Subtotal = $369,344

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $365,769 )
2022	2022	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	3	4/20/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$33,253
2022	2022	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	3	1/20/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$332,516
														Subtotal = $365,769

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $380,899 )
2021	2021	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	2	2/22/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$38,091
2021	2021	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	2	1/11/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$342,808
														Subtotal = $380,899

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $383,840 )
2020	2020	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	1	1/24/2020	NEW	$383,840
2020	2020	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	1	3/11/2020	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $383,840

Grand Total All Awards = $1,861,788

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Epigenetic Regulation of Periodontal Inflammation

Award Number: R01DE028915

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2026

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