How herpes simplex virus 1 affects a skin immune sensor called NLRP1
Regulation of the NLRP1 inflammasome by HSV-1
This research will see how herpes simplex virus 1 turns on or blocks a skin cell alarm protein called NLRP1 to better understand antiviral defenses in human skin.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11230223 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You should know that this work uses human skin cells to study how HSV-1 changes a protein in skin cells called NLRP1 that acts like an alarm for infection. The team will infect primary human keratinocytes in the lab and follow biochemical changes like phosphorylation and other modifications to NLRP1. They will test how the viral protein ICP0 influences those changes and whether it prevents the inflammasome ‘alarm’ from forming. The work relies on molecular and cellular experiments using human-derived samples rather than testing treatments in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people able to donate small skin samples or other biospecimens to researchers at UMass Medical School, especially those with a history of HSV-1 skin infections.
Not a fit: People seeking an immediate new therapy for HSV-1 or those without skin-related herpes infections are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-focused project in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new targets to boost the skin’s antiviral alarm and help prevent or reduce HSV-1 skin infections such as cold sores.
How similar studies have performed: Related laboratory studies show inflammasomes can help fight viruses, but the specific HSV-1–NLRP1 interaction and ICP0’s inhibitory role are relatively new and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Orzalli, Megan Horn — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Orzalli, Megan Horn
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.