Investigating how GPR84 signaling affects skin healing
Official title: The role of GPR84 signaling during skin repair
Funded at George Washington University · NIH-11039978 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific signaling process in the skin can help improve healing, especially for people with diabetes or older adults, by understanding how fat breakdown affects inflammation and wound recovery.
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 start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $419,122 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR082417-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11039978 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with acute wounds, particularly those who are elderly or have diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic wounds unrelated to inflammation or those without skin repair issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of GPR84 signaling in the process of skin repair, particularly focusing on how lipid signaling influences inflammation and tissue healing. The study aims to identify the mechanisms by which adipocyte lipolysis affects macrophage activity and overall wound healing. By understanding these processes, the research seeks to uncover new therapeutic targets for improving healing in patients with acute wounds, especially those who are diabetic or elderly. The approach includes both in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess the effects of GPR84 activation on skin inflammation and repair.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance wound healing and reduce complications in patients with non-healing wounds.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific role of GPR84 in skin repair is not well established, similar lipid signaling pathways have shown promise in other areas of inflammation and wound healing.
Where this research is happening
-
George Washington University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shook, Brett — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Shook, Brett
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
HLA-F and KIR3DS1: unlocking NK cell help to control HIV
A short, patient-friendly look at how a specific immune interaction might help the body control HIV and reduce long-term health problems.
-
Emerging therapies for rare maternal mitochondrial diseases with shared causes
A basket clinical trial will test new drug candidates for two ultra-rare mitochondrial diseases (MELAS and LHON-Plus) that share the same underlying energy-making problem in people who could be affected.
-
Anti-cancer vaccine for liver fluke infection and bile duct cancer
A vaccine approach aims to stop liver fluke interactions with the human bile ducts to prevent bile duct cancer in regions where the parasite is common.
-
Anti-cancer vaccine targeting the host-parasite interface during liver fluke infection
A vaccine approach aims to block how a liver fluke parasite communicates with the human liver to prevent bile duct cancer in people in Southeast Asia.
-
Understanding why youth develop type 2 diabetes and how to prevent it
A nationwide study aims to unravel why some teens with obesity develop type 2 diabetes while others don’t, and to identify factors that could help prevent it.
-
Ultrasensitive antibody-detection method to screen HIV-bNAbs
A new, ultra-sensitive test will help identify which broadly neutralizing antibodies can best block HIV-1 in people, by quickly checking how well these antibodies interact with the virus in patient-derived samples.
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.