The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatase (MKP) family plays an important function in regulating the pro-inflammatory cytokines by deactivating MAP kinases. MKP-1 is essential for the dephosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase that regulates expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. We hypothesized that MKP-1 regulates inflammatory bone loss in experimental periodontitis. Wild-type and Mkp-1 -/-mice received A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS injection in the palatal region or PBS control 3 times/wk for 30 days. Mice were killed, and maxillae were assessed by microcomputed tomography, histological analysis, and TRAP staining for measurement of bone loss, extent of inflammation, and degree of osteoclastogenesis. Results indicated that, in LPSinjected Mkp-1

The molecular investigation of head and neck cancer targets requires the utilization and optimization of established animal models to characterize the effects of gene transcription and protein expression on invasion and metastasis. Floor-of-the-mouth murine models have been developed to study tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis of murine squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells in immunocompetent mice and invasion and metastasis of human SCC cells in nude mice. However, there are tumor cell lines that do not produce tumors in mice, using standard techniques, thus reducing the utility of the model to study specific genetic or treatment conditions. Furthermore, these techniques require large tumor volumes raising the possibility of airway compromise. In this report, we detail significant modifications to the orthotopic floor-of-mouth murine model for human SCC to facilitate predictable growth of a large panel of University of Michigan SCC cell lines. Furthermore, we describe the use of bioluminescence and micro-computed tomography to monitor tumor growth and bony invasion.