Hannu Larjava, DDS, PhD, DipPerio Professor Chair, Division of Periodontics  University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry 2199 Wesbrook Mall Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z3 Tel: 604-822-6822 Fax: 604-822-3562 Website: http://www.dentistry.ubc.ca/AboutUs/FacultyStaffList/detail.asp?user_id=19    Email: larjava@dentistry.ubc.ca

Education

1978 DDS, University of Turku, Finland
1984 PhD, University of Turku, Finland
1987-1990 Postdoctoral fellow, NIH/University of Alabama at Birmingham 

Awards and honors

1987-1988 Fogarty International PostDoctoral Fellowship Award, NIH
1992 Finnish Dental Society 100 Years Anniversary Award
1996 Killam Teaching Prize, University of British Columbia
2010-2011 Visiting Professor Award, Sigrid Juselius Foundation  

Grant Support

Canadian Institutes of Health Research
National Institutes of Health
Martha Piper Research Fund (UBC)
Canadian Dermatology Foundation  

Research interest

Our research is focused on function of epithelial integrins and wound healing. We are particularly interested in finding out the molecular pathways involved in scarless wound healing. For the experiments, we used cell culture and animal models and all modern cell biological and biochemical technologies such as Western blotting, RT-PCR, siRNA, FACS etc. In addition, we are part of the new imaging centre (Centre for High-Throughput Phenogenomics) that can be used to integrate imaging and molecular information.

Current lab members

Guoqiao Jiang (Research associate)
Leeni Koivisto (Research associate)
Cristian Sperantia (Laboratory technician)
Farzan Ghannad (Graduate student)
Breanne Joslin (Graduate student)
Leila Mohazab (Graduate student)
Darwin Song (Graduate student)
Aihui Pang (Postdoctoral fellow)

Selected recent publications

1. Nylund C, Rappu P, Aro E, Elo LL, Vihinen P, Pyrhönen S, Larjava H, Owen G, Kallajoki M, Heino J. Melanoma-associated cancer-testis antigen 16 (CT16) regulates the expression of apoptotic and antiapoptotic genes and promotes cell survival. PLoS One 2012;7(9):e45382
2. Mohazab L, Koivisto L, Jiang G, Kytömäki L, Haapasalo M, Owen GR, Wiebe C, Xie Y, Heikinheimo K, Yoshida T, Smith CE, Heino J, Häkkinen L, McKee MD, Larjava H. Critical role for avb6 integrin in enamel biomineralization. J Cell Sci, in press, 2013
3. Larjava H: Oral wound healing: an overview of biological sciences. Editorial. Endodontic Topics 24: 1-3, 2012
4. Larjava H: Clinical aspects of wound healing in the oral cavity. Editorial. Endodontic Topics 25: 1-3, 2012
5. Larjava H: Oral wound healing: current state and future challenges. Editorial. Endodontic Topics 26: 1-3, 2012
6. Oakley C, Larjava H: Hemostasis, coagulation and complications. Endodontic Topics 24: 4-25, 2012
7. Koivisto L, Häkkinen L, Larjava H. Reepithelialization of wounds. Endodontic Topics 24: 59-93, 2012
8. Häkkinen L, Larjava H, Koivisto L. Granulation tissue formation and remodeling. Endodontic Topics 24: 94-129, 2012
9. Larjava H, Young Y, Häkkinen L, Putnins EE. Biological agents and cell therapies in periodontal regeneration. Endodontic Topics 26: 18-40, 2012 
10. Xie Y, McElwee KJ, Owen GR, Häkkinen L, Larjava H. Loss of integrin avβ6 causes enhanced keratinocyte proliferation and retarded hair follicle regression after depilation. J Invest Dermatol. 132:547-55, 2012.
11. Qu H, Tu Y, Shi X, Larjava H, Saleem MA, Shattil SJ, Fukuda K, Qin J, Kretzler M, and Wu C. Kindlin-2 regulates podocyte adhesion and fibronectin matrix deposition through interactions with phosphoinositides and integrins J Cell Sci, 124:879-891, 2011
12. Larjava H, Wiebe C, Gallant-Behm C, Hart D, Heino J, Häkkinen L. Exploring scarless healing of oral soft tissues. J Can Dent Assoc 77:b18, 2011
13. Larjava H, Koivisto L, Häkkinen L, Heino J. Epithelial integrins with special reference to oral epithelia. J Dent Res. 90:1367-76, 2011
14. Jacobsen JN, Steffensen B, Häkkinen L, Krogfelt KA, Larjava HS. Skin wound healing in diabetic β6 integrin-deficient mice. APMIS 118:753-64, 2010.
15. Eslami A, Gallant-Behm CL, Hart DA, Wiebe C, Honardoust D, Gardner H, Häkkinen L, Larjava H. Expression of integrin avß6 and TGF-β in scarless vs. scar-forming wound healing. J Histochem Cytochem 57: 543-557, 2009
16. Xie Y, Gao K, Häkkinen L, Larjava H. Mice lacking β6 integrin in skin show accelerated wound repair in dexamethasone impaired wound healing model. Wound Repair Regen 17(3): 326-339, 2009
17. Mak K, Manji A, Gallant-Behm C, Wiebe C, Hart DA, Larjava H, Häkkinen L. Scarless healing of oral mucosa is characterized by faster resolution of inflammation and control of myofibroblast action compared to skin wounds in the red Duroc pig model. J Dermatol Sci 56(3): 168-180, 2009
18. Wong JW, Gallant-Behm C, Wiebe C, Hart DA, Larjava H, Häkkinen L. Wound healing in oral mucosa results in reduced scar formation as compared with skin: evidence from the red Duroc pig model and humans. Wound Repair Regen 17(5):717-729, 2009
19. Petricca G, Leppilampi M, Jiang G, Owen GR, Tu, YZ, Wiebe C, Koivisto L, Häkkinen L, Wu C, Larjava H. Localization and potential function of kindlin-1 in periodontal tissues. Eur J Oral Sci 117:518-527, 2009
20. Larjava H, Plow EF, Wu C: Kindlins: Essential regulators of integrin signaling and cell-matrix adhesion. Embo Rep 9: 1203-1208, 2008
21. Ghannad F, Nica D, Fulle MI, Grenier D, Putnins EE, Johnston S, Eslami A, Koivisto L, Jiang G, McKee MD, Häkkinen L, Larjava H. Absence of avβ6 integrin is linked to initiation and progression of periodontal disease. Am J Pathol 172(5): 1271-1286, 2008
22. Honardoust D, Eslami A, Larjava H, Häkkinen L. Localization of small leucine-rich proteoglycans and transforming growth factor-β in human oral mucosal wound healing. Wound Repair Regen 16: 814-823, 2008