Research

The central focus of work in the Dale group is differentiation and formation of the epithelial barrier of skin and oral mucosa. Epithelial cells undergo continuous maturation and differentiation as they move from the proliferative layer to the body surface. Structural proteins are critical in this process; these include the keratin intermediate filament proteins and filaggrin which interacts with keratin filaments to form the mechanically tough contents of surface cells. Some questions being addressed are the role of profilaggrin, its enzymatic conversion to filaggrin, the function of filaggrin and relationship to apoptosis during differentiation. Additional studies emphasize alteration of filaggrin expression in genetic disorders of keratinization.

A new area of investigation in this group is the expression of antimicrobial peptides as part of the epithelial barrier and their role in the normal innate defenses of oral mucosa. Regulation of antimicrobial peptides expression by bacterial exposure, the epithelial cell signaling pathways, and the role of these peptides in oral health and disease are under investigation. Studies utilize biochemical methods, cell culture, and molecular genetics.

For more information, see also Dr. Dale's Home Page and the Community of Science expertise site (COS).