How the fat-related receptor GPR84 helps skin wounds heal
The role of GPR84 signaling during skin repair
Looking at whether a fat-derived signal called GPR84 helps immune cells coordinate skin wound healing for people with slow-healing or chronic wounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294334 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how fats released by skin fat cells (adipocytes) influence immune cells during wound repair by acting through the receptor GPR84. They will use lab-grown cells and wound models to track GPR84 expression, immune cell movement, and inflammatory signals in injured skin. The team will compare what happens when GPR84 signaling is increased or blocked to see how that changes healing speed and quality. Results will be used to identify whether GPR84 could be a drug target to help people with impaired wound healing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic or slow-healing skin wounds, such as those with diabetes or older adults with impaired repair, are the most likely candidates to benefit from this research.
Not a fit: People with minor acute cuts that heal normally are unlikely to see direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets to improve inflammation control and speed healing of chronic wounds in people with diabetes or age-related poor healing.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies show GPR84 can boost macrophage movement and pro-inflammatory signals in vitro, but its role in skin wound healing in living tissue is largely untested and novel.
Where this research is happening
Washington, United States
- George Washington University — Washington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shook, Brett — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Shook, Brett
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.