How skin memory T cells protect the skin and sometimes cause harm
New mechanisms governing skin tissue residency memory T cells
This work looks at how long-lived immune cells in the skin help protect against infections and cancers but can also trigger autoimmune skin inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11302647 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view, the researchers study immune cells called tissue-resident memory T cells that live in the skin and remember past infections or cancers. They use laboratory and mouse models to see how these skin T cells form, survive, and are controlled by nearby dendritic cells in the tissue. The team examines how the T cell receptor repertoire is shaped and how these cells affect protection, inflammation, and autoimmune recall after infection or injury. The goal is to create strong preclinical models and basic knowledge that could guide future vaccines or treatments targeting skin immunity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with recurrent skin viral infections, skin cancers, or autoimmune skin diseases would be most relevant to this research and to future related clinical studies.
Not a fit: People with medical issues unrelated to skin immune responses are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better skin-targeted vaccines and therapies that boost protection while reducing autoimmune skin problems.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human work shows tissue-resident memory T cells can protect against infections and tumors, but the detailed regulatory mechanisms in skin and the role of local dendritic cells are still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anandasabapathy, Niroshana — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Anandasabapathy, Niroshana
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.