Role of A20 and DREAM in fat cells and skin scarring in systemic sclerosis
Official title: Investigating the role of A20 and DREAM in adipogenesis and systemic sclerosis
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11418100 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project at the University of Michigan looks at how differences in fat tissue and blood vessels relate to skin scarring in systemic sclerosis, with the aim of finding new ways to treat or prevent fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $591,834 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR083994-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418100 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with systemic sclerosis or those at risk of early fibrotic changes, whose tissue samples or data could inform the study.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without systemic sclerosis or related adipose/endothelial changes may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant studies why skin becomes fibrotic in systemic sclerosis by focusing on how fat cells and blood vessel cells may turn into scar-forming cells. Researchers will use single-cell RNA sequencing and animal models to track changes in adipocytes and endothelial cells as fibrosis develops and to see how the A20 protein and DREAM regulate these processes. They will test methods to boost A20 function, potentially slowing or reversing tissue remodeling. The work could point to new therapeutic approaches for patients with this autoimmune disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new strategies to prevent or reduce skin fibrosis in systemic sclerosis and improve quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies with similar pathways have shown potential to modulate fibrosis, but this exact approach is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bhattacharyya, Swati — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Bhattacharyya, Swati
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how a cell protein (SLC9A1) drives skin and lung scarring in systemic sclerosis
A five-year NIH grant aims to understand how a specific cell protein called SLC9A1 influences scar-forming cells in systemic sclerosis and related lung disease, with the goal of finding possible therapies.
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From proteins and genes to new treatments for scar-related lung disease
A large NIH grant is working to map the proteins in the lungs of people with systemic sclerosis to find new targets for drugs that could slow or stop lung fibrosis.
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Cell-level clues to skin scarring in systemic sclerosis and localized scleroderma
A study at the University of Pittsburgh is looking at how skin cells and their helpers change at the DNA level in adults and children with systemic sclerosis to find new targets to reduce scarring.
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Clinical-Translational Studies in Skin, Lung, and Blood Vessel Problems in Systemic Sclerosis
A NIH grant supports coordinated efforts to understand and improve health for people with systemic sclerosis and related conditions by sharing resources, data, and pilot projects at MUSC.
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Vasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis and Lung Disease in Adults
A study in adults with systemic sclerosis will look at how blood vessels in the lungs and body relate to the development of lung disease, with the aim of finding new ways to prevent it.
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Validating New Outcomes to Support Systemic Sclerosis Calcinosis Trials
A patient-facing look at a study to test reliable ways to measure changes in painful skin calcium deposits from systemic sclerosis to help run future treatments.
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.