UNC Researcher Discovers Sex-Dependent Differences in Periodontal Disease Progression
Julie Marchesan, DDS, PhD, a faculty member at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Adams School of Dentistry, recently secured a $3.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for her groundbreaking research on periodontal diseases and their connection to biological sex. Focused on disease development and prevention, her study revealed unexpected sex-dependent differences in preventive care outcomes, particularly related to the inflammatory cytokine IL-1b. While the drug targeting IL-1b effectively blocked inflammation and disease progression in male mice, female mice exhibited continued bone destruction, indicating a distinct pathway for periodontitis in females. Marchesan’s research has gained recognition for its novelty and potential impact on patient care. Her team’s exploration of sex-stratified preventive care aims to offer tailored treatments based on individual genetic and biological differences. Click here to read more.
