Cellular contributions to PAR-2's essential role in periodontal disease

Abstract

Periodontal disease is a disease of the gums, which ultimately causes loss of teeth. It is a debilitating condition affecting about 20% of Australian adults. PAR-2, a receptor for protein-degrading enzymes, which is present on cells in the gums, is known to be required for development of the disease. This project will investigate the mechanism of PAR-2’s involvement in periodontal disease and provide ideas for development of treatments.