How skin memory CD4+ T cells develop to protect against cutaneous leishmaniasis
Deciphering the ontogeny of CD4+ resident memory T cells that globally seed the skin and protect against cutaneous leishmaniasis
This project looks at how a particular immune cell in the skin forms and sticks around so future vaccines can better protect people from cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11266233 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The researchers will use laboratory models and experimental mRNA-lipid nanoparticle vaccines to track how dermal resident memory CD4+ T cells (dTrm) form and are maintained in the skin. They will test whether precursor dTrm cells develop before entering the skin or arise after entry, and they will study how the skin microbiome affects dTrm development and retention. The team will manipulate microbes and immune signals, use antigen-specific immunizations with a Leishmania protein (PEPCK), and apply cell-tracking and single-cell techniques like CITE-seq to identify the signals needed. Finally, they will test strategies to expand the pool of protective dTrm cells across the skin.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk for cutaneous leishmaniasis—for example those living in or traveling to regions where Leishmania transmission occurs—would be the main population this work aims to help.
Not a fit: People who are not at risk for cutaneous leishmaniasis or who have unrelated diseases are unlikely to see direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help design vaccines that create long-lived skin immune cells to prevent or reduce cutaneous leishmaniasis.
How similar studies have performed: Related vaccine and mouse-model studies have produced protective skin-resident CD4+ T cells, but translating these findings into effective human vaccines remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scott, Phillip — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Scott, Phillip
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.