HAPLOTYPES OF WIT3.0 FOR SCREENING AND DIAGNOSING GUM DISEASE
UCLA Technology Available For Licensing

BACKGROUND:  Periodontal (gum) diseases (including periodontitis) affect one-third of the population in the U.S. These diseases typically associate with "loose gum tissue" resulting in tooth mobility. The late stages of gum disease are difficult and costly to treat. Currently, the treatment of periodontitis is limited to tooth extraction or surgical removal of inflamed gum tissue. Therefore, an improved and more cost-effective method to detect gum disease before its onset or to improve treatment of existing gum disease (e.g. a non-invasive treatment) would be extremely advantageous. Current theories for pathogenesis of gum diseases highlight involvements of both bacterial infection and genetic predispositions. In particular, genetic variations may contribute to over 30% of adult periodontitis cases.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are small genetic changes that can occur within a DNA sequence. Diagnostic tools utilizing SNPs provide a means for studying the genetics of diseases, not only for the detection but also for the preventative and curative treatments of disease. To this end, finding the key gene(s) participating in periodontal health and diseases must facilitate the new diagnosis and treatment options. Moreover, using this genetic information will enable personalized medicine in dentistry, providing better treatments for patients and cutting financial costs for managed care providers.

INNOVATION:  UCLA researchers have isolated a unique gene from oral wounds, named wound inducible transcript-3.0 (wit3.0). Wit3.0 is synthesized only when injury is created, and wit3.0 helps fibroblasts to pull the surrounding tissue, which may be one of the biological mechanisms to close the wound. UCLA researchers have shown that wit3.0 increases the rate of wound closure and decreases the area of granulation formation. Additionally, UCLA researchers have shown that in rats, the direct administration of a therapeutically effective amount of wit3.0 ameliorates periodontitis. Most importantly, UCLA researchers propose clinical applications of genetic screening of SNPs of wit3.0 in preventive diagnostics of gum diseases and personalized treatments and prognostics.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2005-500 PCT Application: US06/008678

For additional technical details and current licensing
availability, please contact the following UCLA office:

UCLA Office of Intellectual Property
11000 Kinross Avenue, Suite #200
Los Angeles, CA 90095-7231
Tel: 310-794-0558 Fax: 310-794-0638
email: ncd@research.ucla.edu
NCD URL:   http://www.research.ucla.edu/tech/ucla05-500.htm

Lead Inventor: Ichiro Nishimura

UCLA Technologies Available for Licensing
http://www.research.ucla.edu/tech

Copyright © 2005 The Regents of the University of California.

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