“MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Dr. Hajishengallis: The current study is the result of eight years of collaboration with my colleague at Penn Medicine, Dr. John D. Lambris. In our earlier mechanistic studies, we have shown that complement, a system of innate immunity and inflammation, is critically involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, an […]

“Penn Dental Medicine’s Dr. George Hajishengallis, Thomas W. Evans Centennial Professor in the Department of Basic & Translational Sciences, has been recognized for the scope and depth of his research — named on the Highly Cited Researchers™ 2021 list from Clarivate. This is the second year in row that he has been included in this recognition. The annual list identifies researchers […]

“A century ago, many medical practitioners in Europe and the United States espoused the idea that the extraction of decaying teeth could stave off a host of disorders ranging from arthritis to schizophrenia. Indeed, some went as far as to simply remove all of a person’s teeth as a pre-emptive measure. “The idea was that an infection around the teeth […]

“Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune, inflammatory disease. Though the precise mechanism of the disease is only partially understood, people with RA produce antibodies that target their own tissues, contributing to painful inflammation in the joints that can cause bone loss. In a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine found that […]

“There’s a cliche in medicine that immunity is a double-edged sword. The same function that protects the body against viral or bacterial invaders can also cause harm when it goes into overdrive. “In immunity, nothing can be entirely beneficial,” said Dr. George Hajishengallis, the Thomas W. Evans Centennial Professor in the Department of Basic and Translational Sciences at Penn Dental […]

“Most cardiovascular events begin with atherosclerosis, a condition in which inflammation and fatty deposits cause arteries to narrow and stiffen. These deposits, or plaques, build up over years. When they dislodge and travel to smaller vessels, they can block blood flow to vital organs, causing heart attacks and strokes. Although many of the contributing factors for atherosclerosis, including high cholesterol […]

“My first year of clinical practice was really confusing. What I had been taught in dental school just wasn’t working out with my patients in Texas. Removing calculus every six months was supposed to be the ultimate goal, along with trying to convince patients that daily brushing and flossing were critical. It didn’t take long to realize that this plan […]

“Penn Dental Medicine is pleased to announce that Dr. George Hajishengallis, Thomas W. Evans Centennial Professor in the Department of Basic & Translational Sciences, has been named on the Highly Cited Researchers™ 2020 list from Clarivate. The annual list identifies researchers who demonstrated significant influence in their chosen field or fields through the publication of multiple highly cited papers during the […]

“Immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitor drugs, have made worlds of difference for the treatment of cancer. Most clinicians and scientists understand these drugs to act on what’s known as the adaptive immune system, the T cells and B cells that respond to specific threats to the body. New research from an international team co-led by George Hajishengallis of the University of Pennsylvania School of […]

“Immune response is a balancing act: Too much can lead to inflammatory or autoimmune disease; too little could lead to a serious infection. Regulatory T cells, or Tregs, are important players in striking this balance, acting as “brakes” on the immune response so it doesn’t go overboard.  Consequently, controlling the numbers and activity of Tregs is crucial in maintaining health. […]