Assistant Professor / Assistant-Director of Core Facilities (214) 828-8297 Room: 449 rspears@bcd.tamhsc.edu Signal Transduction Mechanisms Relative to the Inflammatory Process of Joint Diseases; Apoptotic Mechanisms Associated With Inflammation

:: Research / Professional Interests

Dr. Robert Spears has focused his research efforts towards the elucidation of signal transduction mechanisms during inflammatory joint diseases using an animal model of adjuvant-induced inflammation of the temporomandibular joint. Of particular interest is the role that different inflammatory mediators may play in the process, with emphasis upon the interaction between elements of the immune and nervous system.

Recently, his research efforts have shifted to include examination of the involvement of proinflammatory cytokines, with particular emphasis on tumor necrosis factor-, and how signaling from its death domain-containing receptor might lead to involvement of apoptosis.

He is presently using cell and tissue culture techniques to investigate potential involvement of apoptosis in the onset and exacerbation of inflammation.

Additionally, Dr. Spears serves as the Faculty Advisor for Student Research at BCD as well as serving as one of the two American Association of Dental Research National Student Research Faculty Advisors.

:: Education

Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, College Station,Texas
Ph.D.(2002)  Department of Biomedical Sciences.
Baylor University, Dallas, Texas
M.S. (1994)  Anatomy
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
B.S. (1979) Biology

:: Career History

:: Teaching Responsibilities

Gross Anatomy (Course Director), Histology, Oral Histology, Microscopy and Associated Techniques (Course Director).

:: Recent Grants

• An Investigation of TGF-b3 Signaling in Palate Development. Baylor College of Dentistry Intramural Research Funds, 2003-2005.

:: Recent Publications

1. Spears R, Dees LA, Sapozhnikov M, Bellinger LL and Hutchins, B. Adjuvant Application Results in Altered Levels of Inflammatory Mediators in the Trigeminal Ganglion and Tissues of the Temporomandibular Joint. In Press, Journal of Orofacial Pain, 2005.
2. Patel H, Spears R and Svoboda KKH. Growth factors and signaling proteins in craniofacial development. Accepted to Seminars in Orthodontics, 2005.
3. Spears R. Rheumatoid arthritis: inflammatory mediators and involvement of the TMJ. Accepted to Critical Rev Oral Biol Med, 2005.
4. Al-Awadhi S, Spears R, Gutmann JL, and Opperman LA. Cultured primary osteoblasts viability and apoptosis in the presence of root canal sealers. J Endodontics 30:527-533, 2004.
5. Trasatti C, Spears R, Guttman JL, and Opperman LA. Increased Tgf-b1 production by rat osteoblasts in the presence of Pep Gen P-15 in vitro. J Endodontics 30:213-217, 2004.
6. Spears R, Oakes R, Bellinger LL and Hutchins B. Tumor necrosis factor-a and apoptosis in the rat temporomandibular joint. Arch Oral Biol 48:825-834, 2003.
7. Spears R, Oakes R, Moore C, Belinger LL and Hutchins B. A determination of tumor necrosis factor expression in TMJ inflammation using microarray analysis. J Dent Res 82:807-813, 2003.8.   Kerins CA, Bellinger LL, Spears, R and Hutchins B. The prospective use of COX-2 inhibitors for the treatment of temporomandibular joint inflammatory disorders. J Immunopathol Pharmacol 16:19-27, 2003. Patel H, Spears R and Hutchins B. The effects of a Cox-2 inhibitor on CGRP levels in adjuvant-induced arthritis. Journal of Orofacial Pain 16:312-316, 2002.
8. Perez AL, Spears R, Gutmann JL and Opperman LA. Osteoblasts and MG-63 osteosarcoma cells behave differently when in contact with ProRoot MTA and white MTA. Accepted to Int J Endodont 36:1-7, 2003.
9. Spears R, Oakes R, Moore C, Bellinger LL and Hutchins B. A determination of tumor necrosis factor expression in TMJ inflammation using microarray analysis. In Press Journal of Dental Research.
10. Spears R, Oakes R, Bellinger LL and Hutchins B. Tumor necrosis factor- and apoptosis in the rat temporomandibular joint. In Press Archives of Oral Biology.
11. Spears R, Dees LA, Sapozhnikov M, Bellinger LL and Hutchins B. Adjuvant application results in altered levels of inflammatory mediators in the trigeminal ganglion and tissues of the temporomandibular joint. Accepted to Journal of Orofacial Pain.
12. Spears R. Rheumatoid arthritis: inflammatory mediators and involvement of the TMJ. Accepted to Critical Reviews in Oral Biology and Medicine.
13. Kerins CA, Bellinger LL, Spears, R and Hutchins B. The prospective use of COX-2 inhibitors for the treatment of temporomandibular joint inflammatory disorders. Accepted to Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology.
14. Trasatti C, Guttman J, Spears R, and Opperman LO. Increased Tgf-B1 production by rat osteoblasts in the presence of Pep Gen P-15 in vitro. Accepted to Journal of Endodontics.