How Staph on the skin may worsen food allergy in eczema
Mechanisms of enhanced food allergy by S. aureus skin colonization in Atopic Dermatitis
This work tests whether Staphylococcus aureus on eczema skin makes severe food allergies more likely and whether blocking gut leakiness can reduce those reactions for people with atopic dermatitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11284058 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses models that mimic eczema skin colonized with Staphylococcus aureus and applies food proteins to the skin to see how that changes reactions when the food is later eaten. Researchers measure immune signals such as IL-4, examine intestinal permeability, and study how staphylococcal superantigens (like SEB) amplify allergic responses. They test a small molecule called Divertin that blocks recruitment of MLCK to tight junctions to reduce paracellular antigen uptake and limit severe reactions. The goal is to explain why people with eczema and Staph colonization often have worse food allergies and to identify targets for preventing those reactions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with atopic dermatitis (eczema), especially those who have food allergies or recurrent Staphylococcus aureus skin colonization, would be most relevant to these findings.
Not a fit: People without eczema or whose food allergies arise from unrelated mechanisms may not see direct benefit from these specific results.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or reduce severe food allergies in people with eczema by targeting Staphylococcus aureus on the skin or by strengthening the gut barrier.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have shown that Staph toxins can boost food anaphylaxis and that reducing gut permeability can limit reactions, but applying these findings to humans remains novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Geha, Raif Salim — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Geha, Raif Salim
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.