NCT01568697

Oral Bacteria and Immune System Problems Involved in Gum Disease (Periodontitis)

Recruiting now Last updated 1 April 2026

What this trial tests

trial in Immunosuppression in 700 participants. Currently enrolling.

Timeline

5 October 2012

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Status	Recruiting now
Study type	OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment	700
Start date	5 October 2012
Sites	1 location across United States

Conditions studied

• Immunosuppression — all drugs for Immunosuppression →
• Periodontal Disease — all drugs for Periodontal Disease →
• Healthy Subjects — all drugs for Healthy Subjects →
• Healthy Volunteer — all drugs for Healthy Volunteer →

Sponsor

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

Who can join

Adults 7 to 100, any sex, with Immunosuppression or Periodontal Disease. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Background:

\- Gum disease is a condition in which the tissue around the tooth root becomes swollen and infected. This condition can cause tooth loss if it is not treated. Who gets gum disease and how bad it will be depends on (1) the different bacteria in the mouth and (2) how the immune system of an individual handles these bacteria. Researchers want to look at the oral bacteria and genetic immune problems of different people to learn how these affect gum disease and other conditions of the mouth.

Objectives:

\- To study how immune system problems may lead to problems in the mouth, including gum disease.

Eligibility:

* Children and adults at least 7 years of age who have genetic problems with their immune system.
* Healthy adults that have periodontal disease
* Health adults that do not have periodontal disease

Design:

* This study will involve a screening visit and a study visit.
* Participants will be screened with a medical history, blood work and a full oral and dental exam, including dental x-rays and photos.
* The study visit will involve collection of blood, urine, and other samples, including saliva, plaque, and gum swabs. Any abnormal tissue will sampled for a biopsy. Additional oral and dental exams will be performed. Participants will also answer questions about any current medical or dental problems.

Publications & conference data

8 peer-reviewed publications reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-induced hypercitrullination links periodontal infection to autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis.
   Konig MF, Abusleme L, Reinholdt J, Palmer RJ, et al · · 2016 · cited 438× · PMID 27974664 · DOI 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaj1921
2. Human oral mucosa cell atlas reveals a stromal-neutrophil axis regulating tissue immunity.
   Williams DW, Greenwell-Wild T, Brenchley L, Dutzan N, et al · · 2021 · cited 376× · PMID 34129837 · DOI 10.1016/j.cell.2021.05.013
3. A dysbiotic microbiome triggers T<sub>H</sub>17 cells to mediate oral mucosal immunopathology in mice and humans.
   Dutzan N, Kajikawa T, Abusleme L, Greenwell-Wild T, et al · · 2018 · cited 299× · PMID 30333238 · DOI 10.1126/scitranslmed.aat0797
4. Characterization of the human immune cell network at the gingival barrier.
   Dutzan N, Konkel JE, Greenwell-Wild T, Moutsopoulos NM. · · 2016 · cited 221× · PMID 26732676 · DOI 10.1038/mi.2015.136
5. On-going Mechanical Damage from Mastication Drives Homeostatic Th17 Cell Responses at the Oral Barrier.
   Dutzan N, Abusleme L, Bridgeman H, Greenwell-Wild T, et al · · 2017 · cited 198× · PMID 28087239 · DOI 10.1016/j.immuni.2016.12.010
6. Aberrant type 1 immunity drives susceptibility to mucosal fungal infections.
   Break TJ, Oikonomou V, Dutzan N, Desai JV, et al · · 2021 · cited 132× · PMID 33446526 · DOI 10.1126/science.aay5731
7. Neutrophil extracellular traps and extracellular histones potentiate IL-17 inflammation in periodontitis.
   Kim TS, Silva LM, Theofilou VI, Greenwell-Wild T, et al · · 2023 · cited 100× · PMID 37261457 · DOI 10.1084/jem.20221751
8. Neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps in oral health and disease.
   Kim TS, Moutsopoulos NM. · · 2024 · cited 30× · PMID 38689085 · DOI 10.1038/s12276-024-01219-w