How certain immune cells help skin and friendly bacteria stay balanced
Functional Dissection of Regulatory Myeloid Cells in Microbe-Immune Crosstalk in Skin
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11286831
Learning how specific skin immune cells work with normal skin bacteria to prevent inflammation in people with eczema, acne, or other skin problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11286831 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you were involved, researchers would use modified skin bacteria, special mouse models, and lab tests on human skin samples to study how immune cells interact with microbes. They would examine how a type of dendritic cell captures bacteria and encourages regulatory T cells that calm inflammation. Advanced single-cell lab tools would track how individual immune cells behave, and ex vivo human skin systems would test whether the lab findings apply to people. Together this work aims to map the signals that let your skin tolerate helpful microbes and avoid harmful immune reactions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with eczema, atopic dermatitis, or acne — and healthy volunteers willing to donate skin samples — would be the most relevant participants for related sample collection or future trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose skin problems are driven mainly by non-immune causes (for example primarily hormonal acne) or those unwilling to provide skin samples may not see direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to new ways to prevent or reduce skin inflammation in conditions like eczema and acne by promoting tolerance to beneficial skin bacteria.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies support roles for regulatory T cells and dendritic cells in skin tolerance, but using engineered commensal bacteria and human ex vivo systems to translate these findings toward patient therapies is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SCHARSCHMIDT, TIFFANY CRAWFORD — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: SCHARSCHMIDT, TIFFANY CRAWFORD
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.