How nerve signals shape sweat glands
Molecular mechanisms in sweat gland innervation
This project looks at how nerve signals guide sweat gland stem cells to become working sweat glands, which could help people with severe burns or congenital sweating problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11194310 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use mouse models to see what happens to sweat gland stem cells when the nerves that normally control them are removed or altered. They will compare gene activity and chromatin accessibility in stem cells with and without nerve input using molecular tools such as ATAC‑seq. The team will identify the cell signaling pathways inside sweat gland stem cells that respond to neurotransmitters and drive gland maturation. These discoveries are intended to point to molecules or strategies that might one day be used to regenerate or restore functional sweat glands in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with severe burn injuries that destroyed their sweat glands or individuals born without functioning sweat glands (congenital anhidrosis) would be the most likely future candidates for therapies based on this research.
Not a fit: People whose sweating is normal or whose temperature regulation issues come from unrelated causes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable ways to regrow or restore working sweat glands so patients with burns or congenital defects can better control body temperature and avoid heat-related complications.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown that nerves influence sweat gland maturation, but using nerve-derived signals to fully regenerate functional sweat glands is largely untested and remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Catherine Pei-Ju — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Lu, Catherine Pei-Ju
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.