How skin regulatory T cells keep skin inflammation under control
Metabolic and epigenetic regulation of skin Tregs
This project looks at how special immune cells in the skin use metabolism and gene-level switches to prevent or reduce skin inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291809 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine regulatory T cells that live in the skin and help prevent local inflammation. They will use single-cell metabolic profiling (SCENITH) to see how these cells produce and use energy, and CRISPR/Cas9 genetic screening and skin-specific knockout mouse models to test which metabolic and epigenetic factors matter. The work focuses on understanding the unique biology of skin Tregs so scientists can learn how they maintain skin health and stop autoimmune or inflammatory responses. Findings may point to targets for future therapies or approaches to boost these cells in people with skin disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic inflammatory or autoimmune skin conditions, such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, would be the most likely candidates for future trials or sample-donation opportunities related to this work.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to skin inflammation or who cannot provide skin samples are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to strengthen or mimic skin regulatory T cells to treat autoimmune or inflammatory skin conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have identified tissue-specific regulatory T cells and linked them to mitochondrial metabolism, but applying single-cell metabolic assays and in vivo CRISPR screening to skin-resident Tregs is a newer and more targeted approach.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Chaoran — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Li, Chaoran
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.