How a tick protein affects skin inflammation and immune response
Official title: Subversion of Keratinocyte Function by a Tick Salivary Protein
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11036329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein from tick saliva might help reduce skin inflammation when ticks bite, which could help us understand how tick bites affect skin health and diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | February 16, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $194,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178839-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced tick bites or suffer from skin inflammation related to tick-borne diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of tick exposure or related skin conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how a protein from tick saliva, known as sialostatin L2, interacts with a protein in human skin cells called HMGB1. When a tick feeds, it can trigger inflammation in the skin, but this tick protein may help suppress that inflammation, allowing the tick to feed more effectively. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind this interaction and how it affects the immune response in skin cells, particularly keratinocytes, which are crucial for skin health. By exploring this relationship, the research could provide insights into how tick bites influence skin diseases and inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for skin inflammation and related conditions caused by tick bites.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific interaction being studied is novel, previous research has shown that tick saliva can influence immune responses, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pedra, Joao — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Pedra, Joao
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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.