How IL-18 causes inflammation and itch in eczema
Official title: Defining the role of IL-18 in atopic dermatitis
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11311825 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are learning whether a protein called IL-18 drives the inflammation and itch of atopic dermatitis in children and adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | April 10, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $809,010 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176660-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11311825 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, including children and adults who can provide skin or blood samples, would be ideal candidates to participate.
✕Less likely to help
People without atopic dermatitis or those with only very mild, well-controlled eczema are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
The team will measure IL-18 levels and examine immune cells in skin and blood from people with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. They will use single-cell RNA sequencing to identify which skin immune cells (including basophils and ILC2s) respond to IL-18 and produce type 2 cytokines. Lab experiments and mouse models will test how IL-18 activates these cells and whether that leads to itch and allergic skin inflammation. Findings from human samples will be compared to the lab and animal results to link molecular mechanisms to patient disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If IL-18 is driving eczema inflammation and itch, this could point to new targeted treatments to reduce flares and relieve itching.
How similar studies have gone: Therapies that block type 2 cytokines like IL-4 and IL-13 have helped many people with eczema, but targeting IL-18 is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Dyken, Steven — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Van Dyken, Steven
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Stopping Atopic Dermatitis and Allergy: Preventing Food Allergy by Protecting the Skin
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SEAL Study: Preventing peanut allergy by protecting baby skin
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SEAL Study: Prevent allergy by protecting the baby’s skin
A very young group of high-risk babies will try a early skin-care plan to reduce eczema and prevent peanut allergy.
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Understanding how skin fungi affect atopic dermatitis in adults
A study will look at how the skin's fungal community influences atopic dermatitis in adults and whether this understanding could lead to new treatments.
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Preventing eczema-related allergies by strengthening infants' skin barrier
This project will see if using a trilipid skin cream plus proactive mild topical steroids in infants with early dry skin or eczema lowers their chances of developing food allergies.
-
Personalized predictions for how atopic dermatitis may progress in kids and teens
A patient-friendly plan to forecast how early-onset eczema might evolve in children and young people using simple health clues and data from diverse settings.
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.