Helen Schreiner

My primary research interests include the identification and characterization of virulence genes of the periodontal pathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) such as cytolethal distending toxin (cdt), leukotoxin, Aae and ApiA. I have developed a periodontal disease model in rats to be used for in vivo assessment of bacterial virulence genes. I also use this model to assess the susceptibility of different rat strains to Aa induced bone loss in order to identify host susceptibility genes. I received Rutger Biomedical and Health Sciences Foundation grants in 2004 and 2005.

My recent research has concentrated on the properties of the Aa outer membrane protein Apia. I has also worked on the comparison of Aa strains derived from human to those derived from monkeys and the philology of both types of strains.

BA, Barnard College

PhD, Columbia University, Department of Microbiology

A study of the Aggregatibcter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) outer membrane protein ApiA. Its role in binding of buccal epithelial cells, bacterial autoaggregation and resistance to complement.

1. Fine D. H., Schreiner H. C., Velusamy. S. K., 2020 Aggregatibacter, a Low Abundance Pathobiont That Influences Biogeography, Microbial Dysbiosis, and Host Defense Capabilities in Periodontitis: The History of a Bug, and Localization of Disease. Pathogens March 2020
2. Bast, A, Kubis,H., Holtfreter, B., Ribback, S., Martin, H., Schreiner, HC, Dominik, MJ, Breitbach, K, Dombrowski, F., Kocher, T., Steinmetz, I., 2017 NAPDH Oxidase Contributes to Resistance agains Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-Induced Periodontitis in Mice. Infection and Immunity: 85(2), 1-13
3. Shanmugam M, Gopal P, El Abbar F, Schreiner HC, Kaplan JB, et Fine D. H., Ramasubbu, N. 2015 Role of Exopolysaccharide in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans–Induced Bone Resorption in a Rat Model for Periodontal Disease. PLoS ONE 10(2): e0117487. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0117487
4. Schreiner H, Li Y, Cline J, Tsiagbe VK, Fine, DH 2013 A Comparison of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) Virulence Traits in a Rat Model for Periodontal Disease. PLoS ONE 8(7):e69382. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0069382
5. Velliyagounder, K. Velusamy, S. K., Ganeshnarayan, K., Markowitz, K. Schreiner, H. , Furgang, D., Fine, D. H., 2013 Lactoferrin Knockout Mice Demonstrates Greater Susceptibility to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans- Induced Periodontal Journal of Periodontology 2013;84:1690-1701:
6. Kang,J., de Brito Bezarra,B., Pacios,S., Andriankaja, O. Li,Y.,Tsiagbe, T., Schreiner, H., Fine, D.H. And Graves, D.T. 2012. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Infection enhances Apoptosis In Viv0 Through a Caspase-3-3dependent Mechanism in Experimental Periodontitis. Infection and Immunity: 80(6), 2247-2256
7. DeBrito Bezarra.B., Andriankaja,O., Kang,J., Pacios, S., Bae, HJ., Li, Y., Tsiagbe, V., Schreiner,H., Fine, DH., and Graves, DT. 2012 A. actinomycetemcomitans-induced periodontal disease promotes systemic and local responses in rat periodontium. J. Cln. Periodontol 39: 333-341
8. Schreiner, H., Markowitz, K., Miryalkar, M., Moore, D.,Diehl, S. and Fine, D. H. 2011 Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans-Induced Bone Loss and Antibody Response in Three Rat Strains. Journal of Periodontology :82, 142-150
9. Li ,Y., Messina, C., Bendaoud, M., Fine, D.H., Schreiner, H. and Tsiagbe, V.K. 2010 Adaptive immune response in osteoclastic bone resorption induced by orally administered Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in a rat model of periodontal disease. Molecular Oral Microbiology: 25, 275–292
10. Fine, D. H., Schreiner, H., Nasri-Heir, C., Greenberg, B., Jiang, S. Markowitz, K., Furgang, D. 2009. An improved cost-effective, reproducible model for evaluation of bone loss in a rodent model. J. Clin. Periodontol: 36, 106-113.
11. Rupani D., Izano, E. A., Schreiner, H. C., Kaplan, J.B. 2008. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotype f 0-polysaccharide mediates coaggregation with Fusobacterium nucleatum. Oral Microbiol Immunol :23(2) , 127-130.
12. Goldsmith, R.N.,Shey,Z.,Haupt, M.I., Fine D., Schreiner, H., Greenberg, B. 2007. Tooth brush bristle wear and adherence of Streptococcus mutans. Pediatric Dentistry. 29(3):243-247.
13. Kurland, A.R. ,Schreiner, H.,Diamond, G. 2006 .In vivo b-defensin gene expression in Rat gingival epithelium in response to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans infection. J. Periodont Res:41,567-572
14. Schreiner,H, Sinatra K., Kaplan J.,Furgang, D., Kachlany S., Planet, P. Perez,B. and Fine, D. 2003. Tight-Adherence genes of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans are required for virulence in a rat model. PNAS 100:7295-7300.
15. Kaplan,J., Schreiner,H., Furgang, D. Fine, D. 2002. Population structure and Genetic Diversity of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Strains Isolated from Localized Juvenile Periodontitis Patients. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 40:1181-1187.