Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) awarded a $249,000 Project Grant to Boston University Medical Campus, effective May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2031, under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research program (CFDA 93.121). This five-year research initiative will investigate the mechanisms underlying pulpitis—a painful inflammatory disease of the dental pulp—by examining the complex interactions between neutrophils and sensory neurons. The research will generate fundamental knowledge through multiple scientific methodologies including animal models of pulpitis, tissue-clearing and whole-mount imaging, single-nuclei RNA sequencing, in-situ hybridization, chemogenetic approaches, and pain behavior assays to identify how neutrophil-driven nerve injury contributes to pain outcomes and how nociceptive neurons modulate innate immune responses.

The project will deliver three primary research products through a comprehensive investigation of neuro-immune interactions within the pulp-periodontium complex. Aim 1 will produce anatomical and transcriptional data characterizing neutrophil-driven nerve injury mechanisms and pain responses during pulpitis. Aim 2 will generate flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results demonstrating the impact of nociceptive neuron activation on neutrophil recruitment and immune function. Aim 3 will identify distinct inflammatory signatures and mechanisms specific to the pulp-periodontium interface. These research outputs are designed to inform the development of conservative treatment strategies and novel pain management approaches that would reduce reliance on invasive procedures such as root canal therapy and tooth extractions.