Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) awarded Massachusetts General Hospital $408,951 under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research program (CFDA 93.121) to develop and validate Photochemical Tissue Passivation (PTP) as a therapeutic approach to reduce temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis progression. The research project, which commenced February 15, 2026 and concludes February 14, 2028, involves the application of rose bengal solution and green light exposure to photocrosslink collagen and extracellular proteins in TMJ tissue, thereby creating a protective protein network that prevents inflammatory marker infiltration and reduces chronic inflammation associated with cartilage degradation and subchondral bone erosion. The project leverages a collaborative partnership between leading researchers in photocrosslinking therapeutics and TMJ disease modeling, with supplementary diagnostic support from state-of-the-art optical imaging techniques.

The deliverables under this award include preclinical research findings demonstrating PTP's efficacy in reducing joint inflammation, prevention of TMJ-OA progression to advanced stages, and documentation that could support future clinical translation of this minimally invasive therapeutic procedure. By establishing the scientific foundation for PTP as an alternative to complex surgical interventions, the research addresses a critical clinical need in managing a condition currently lacking effective treatment options and significantly impacting patient quality of life.