Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, is one of the most common human diseases, affecting almost half of people over 30 and about 70% of people over the age of 65. Characterized by progressive destruction of tooth-supporting alveolar bone, it can cause tooth loss, bone loss, and bad breath. Periodontitis is caused by chronic inflammation associated with a high ratio of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages to anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, and is currently treated by reducing microbial load in teeth and gums by regular antibiotics removal of dental plaque, which fails to address the uncontrolled host immune response that drives disease progression.
Description
Leveraging pioneering research into the destructive and constrictive natures of inflammatory response in tissues, newly developed sustained-release PLGA microparticles present new solution. The microparticles deliver cytokines that induce the polarization of macrophages towards the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype and promote chemotaxis of anti-inflammatory macrophages to the inflamed side, effectively guiding the local immune microenvironment towards a “protective/constructive” response to half the progression of disease and inhibit bone loss. Although reducing microbial load with regular cleaning and antibiotics is important, this represents a chance to address the main cause of periodontitis progression and damage.
Applications
· Treatment of periodontitis
· Treatment of other conditions associated with inflammatory bone loss, such as rheumatoid arthritis
Advantages
· Addresses underlying cause of disease for an effective, lasting solution
· More effective and comprehensive than traditional treatment
· Decreases inflammatory response in a localized microenvironment
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2021150662A1
