Finding the genes behind hidradenitis suppurativa
Official title: Determining the Genetic Basis of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11175361 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will look for genetic changes linked to hidradenitis suppurativa by studying DNA and skin samples from people with the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 22, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $395,810 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR083790-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11175361 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with a clinical diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa, including adolescents (about age 12 and up) and adults, especially those willing to provide DNA and possibly skin samples, are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without HS or those unwilling/unable to provide DNA or tissue samples would not benefit directly from participating in this project.
What this research studies
If I join, researchers will collect DNA from about 2,000 people with HS and compare their genomes to find gene changes tied to the disease. They will build on earlier findings near SOX9 and KLF5 and use bioinformatics to search for additional risk locations in a diverse group that includes adolescents and Black patients. The team will also examine skin tissue, including hair follicles, epidermis, and the tunnels in HS lesions, to see whether those genes are turned on or off. The goal is to connect genetic signals to the biology of HS and point to possible new treatment targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of genetic causes could lead to new, more targeted treatments for HS in the future.
How similar studies have gone: Previous genetic studies including a GWAS of 760 patients found risk signals near SOX9 and KLF5 and rare variants explain only a small fraction, so this larger and more diverse cohort is a logical next step.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sayed, Christopher J — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Sayed, Christopher J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Anti-CD38 immunotherapy for severe hidradenitis suppurativa
A new treatment using anti-CD38 therapy is being tested for people with severe hidradenitis suppurativa who have not responded to prior therapies.
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Botulinum toxin blocks nerve signals to immune cells to treat hidradenitis suppurativa
This NIH grant tests a new approach to hidradenitis suppurativa by using botulinum toxin to interrupt nerve signals that may drive skin inflammation in patients.
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Precision therapies for hidradenitis suppurativa using AI
A doctor-researcher team at UC San Francisco is using advanced computer methods to find personalized drug options to treat hidradenitis suppurativa.
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Injectable Hydrogel for HS: a localized therapy to ease painful skin disease
A new baricitinib hydrogel is being developed to deliver pain relief and reduce inflammation directly in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) lesions, potentially lowering systemic side effects.
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Whole-genome sequencing to understand hidradenitis suppurativa in diverse groups
Researchers will study the genetic factors that contribute to hidradenitis suppurativa, especially in African American, Hispanic/Latino, and White patients, to better understand why some people are more affected.
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Understanding the Genes Behind Hidradenitis Suppurativa in teens and young adults
A study to find genetic factors that contribute to hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a painful skin condition that often starts in adolescence and affects many Black individuals.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.