Keratinocyte glue and signaling in the skin blistering disease pemphigus vulgaris
Official title: Keratinocyte adhesion and signaling in the skin blistering disease pemphigus vulgaris
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11396378 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how skin cells stick together and how this sticking breaks down in pemphigus vulgaris to find better, safer treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $557,393 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081883-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396378 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with pemphigus vulgaris or related autoimmune blistering disorders seeking less toxic treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with pemphigus vulgaris who cannot participate in imaging or cellular studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Pemphigus vulgaris is a serious skin disease where the skin blisters because the cells that hold skin together don’t stick well. This project uses advanced imaging and computer simulations to see exactly how disease-causing antibodies disrupt cell junctions and adhesion. By observing keratinocytes’ responses, including calcium signaling and stress pathways, the team hopes to reveal new targets for therapies that reduce blistering without heavy immunosuppression. The work combines cryo-electron microscopy, live-cell imaging, and molecular dynamics to connect molecular changes to patient symptoms. If successful, these insights could lead to treatments that preserve skin integrity with fewer side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Potentially leads to new, targeted therapies that spare patients from broad immunosuppression while reducing blistering.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that understanding desmosome biology can guide therapeutic strategies, but this project applies cutting-edge imaging to PV specifically, making it novel.
Where this research is happening
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Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kowalczyk, Andrew P. — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Kowalczyk, Andrew P.
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.