How skin and fat interact in severe Group A strep infections
Official title: Skin-Adipose axis in HLA-II mouse models of Group A Streptococcus infection
Funded at University of North Dakota · NIH-11128588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether turning on a protein called PPARγ can help restore healthy fat cell function after severe Group A strep infections that damage skin and soft tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Dakota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Forks, United States) |
| Project start | May 13, 2016 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $76,972 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM113123-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128588 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have had, are recovering from, or are at high risk for necrotizing soft tissue infections caused by Group A Streptococcus would be most relevant to this work.
✕Less likely to help
People with skin or fat problems not caused by Group A strep, or whose care focuses solely on non-infectious conditions, are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings.
What this research studies
Researchers are using mouse models that carry human immune genes to mimic how Group A Streptococcus (GAS) spreads into the fat layer under the skin during necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI). They will measure whether the bacteria cause a drop in PPARγ activity and block new fat-cell formation, and then give PPARγ-activating compounds to see if fat cell function and local metabolism recover. The goal is to learn how these changes affect healing and to identify host-directed approaches that could be used alongside antibiotics. Findings are intended to guide future diagnostic tests and personalized therapies for people who suffer NSTI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new adjunct treatments that help tissue heal and restore healthy fat function after severe necrotizing Group A strep infections.
How similar studies have gone: Activating PPARγ has improved fat cell function in other laboratory and animal models of metabolic disease, but applying this approach specifically to necrotizing Group A strep infections is largely new and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nookala, Suba — University of North Dakota
- Study coordinator: Nookala, Suba
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.