Dentin regeneration research receives $1.2 million grant, focusing on the relationship between dentin phosphoprotein and autophagy

Image source: UIC official website

DentalGoodNews｜On November 2, 2026, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) announced that Anne George, Professor in the Department of Oral Biology at the UIC College of Dentistry, has received a $1.2 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to further investigate the role of dentin phosphophoryn in cytoprotection, autophagy, and dentin regeneration. The project remains at the basic research stage and has not yet entered clinical application.

The research focuses on dentin phosphophoryn (DPP), a protein found primarily in dentin that helps mineralize the protein matrix and form dentin. George stated that odontoblasts and adult dental pulp stem cells need to survive in a calcium-rich environment; the team hopes to determine whether this protein helps protect these cells and maintain their regenerative capacity.

In addition, the project will focus on the relationship between dentin phosphophoryn and autophagy. Autophagy is the process by which cells clear their own aged or damaged components and recycle their constituent materials. In dental pulp tissue inflammation or injury, autophagy may play a cytoprotective role. The research team believes that dentin phosphophoryn may help dental pulp stem cells cope with the stress of a calcium-rich environment, maintain survival, and support their differentiation into dentin-forming cells.

This research direction already has some preliminary experimental basis. In 2024, George and colleagues published a related cell study in the "Journal of Structural Biology," comparing the transcriptomes of DPP-stimulated and unstimulated dental pulp stem cells. The results showed upregulated expression of some autophagy-related genes and protein markers, and the formation of autophagosomes was observed. Based on this, the researchers believe that autophagy may be involved in the differentiation of dental pulp stem cells into odontoblasts. The new project will build on this foundation to further investigate the relevant molecular mechanisms and their role in tissue regeneration.

For the new project, the team plans to combine Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hDPSCs) research with animal models to investigate the molecular pathways regulating autophagy and tissue regeneration. George explained that the team is currently exploring whether the relevant proteins can be used in scaffolds within dental cavities to promote dentin regeneration and form a living matrix that helps preserve tooth function.