Gasdermin A and how skin fights Strep infections
GSDMA roles in skin innate immune defense
Learning whether a skin protein called gasdermin A helps skin cells detect and stop dangerous group A Strep bacteria, which could help people with skin infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307604 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how group A Streptococcus (GAS) invades the skin and how skin cells respond. Researchers will study human keratinocytes in the lab to see how the GAS protease SpeB cuts gasdermin A into an active, pore-forming form that triggers inflammatory cell death (pyroptosis). They will examine how GAS escapes normal cell defenses like autophagy and whether gasdermin A-dependent cell death helps or harms the host during infection. The work uses cultured skin cells and molecular assays to map these steps and identify points where new treatments could block invasive infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had recurrent or severe skin infections caused by group A Streptococcus, or who are at high risk for invasive Streptococcal disease, would be the most directly relevant group.
Not a fit: People with skin problems not caused by group A Strep, such as fungal or viral infections, or unrelated autoimmune skin conditions, are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new ways to stop Strep from spreading in the skin and reduce severe invasive infections and their complications.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown that related gasdermin proteins can drive inflammatory cell death to control infections, but applying this mechanism to gasdermin A and GAS is a newer and less-tested area.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Larock, Christopher N — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Larock, Christopher N
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 below.