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NIH grant 1R41AG102092-01: EC16 Nanoparticles: Bridging Oral Health and Alzheimer's Prevention via FAST Nanotechnology
Institute: {'code': 'AG', 'abbreviation': 'NIA', 'name': 'National Institute on Aging', 'admin_org_id': '12500002', 'admin_funding_url': ''}. PI: Douglas Peter Dickinson. Award: $499999.
Start: 2026-09-24T00:00:00.
Project Summary / Abstract
Periodontal disease (PD) affects up to 90% of adults worldwide and disproportionately impacts older
adults, who are more likely to experience tooth loss, systemic inflammation, and comorbid conditions
such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. PD is also associated with a 70% increased risk of
Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Chronic oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) promotes
systemic inflammation through gingipains and small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which have been
detected in the brains of AD patients, suggesting a direct mechanistic link between PD and AD
pathology. Preventing PD progression may therefore help delay or reduce neuroinflammation and
cognitive decline in older adults. Our team at Camellix, LLC has developed EC16 nanoparticles (NPs)
from green tea–derived EGCG-palmitate (EC16) using Facilitated Self-Assembling Technology (FAST,
patent pending). EC16 NPs demonstrate potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and bone-
protective effects in a mouse periodontitis model, reducing the Pg load to baseline and markedly
decreasing alveolar bone loss, as well as lowering markers of central nervous system inflammation.
This food-grade natural formulation (comprised of EC16, water, and glycerol) ensures excellent
safety, stability, and patient compliance, making it ideal for preventive use in aging populations.
Specific Aim 1 will test the preventive antimicrobial effects of EC16 NP oral formula against
multispecies biofilms in vitro, targeting key PD pathogens (Pg, Aggregatibacter
actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus mutans).
Specific Aim 2 will evaluate preventive effects in AppNL-G-F knock-in mice, an AD model, with
ligature- and Pg-induced PD. Endpoints will include EC16 biodistribution, oral bacterial load, bone
loss, gingival cytokines, and brain neuroinflammation (IL-1β, TNF-α, amyloid-β plaques), with safety
monitored via body weight and histology.
Specific Aim 3 will assess the ability of EC16NP to cross human BBB and mitigate neural
inflammation using a human 3D model of BBB in vitro.
This STTR Phase I project, a collaboration between the Dental College of Georgia and Camellix, LLC,
will generate critical preclinical data to support a Phase II clinical trial. By targeting both PD and AD-
linked neuroinflammation through a safe, natural, and patient-friendly approach, the EC16 NP oral
formula has the potential to reduce PD burden, preserve cognitive health, and improve quality of life
for aging populations, while reducing healthcare costs.document fetched 2026-10-04 02:44