Skin microbes and the AHR: keeping your skin barrier healthy
Decoding microbial-Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor interactions at the skin barrier interface
Researchers are looking at how skin microbes and a sensor called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) help keep the skin barrier strong, which could help people with eczema, psoriasis, acne, or rosacea.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192904 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at how friendly microbes on the skin communicate with skin cells through a sensor called AHR to control barrier strength and repair. The team will use lab-grown skin cells, tissue or animal models, and microbial samples to map the signaling pathways involved. They will also test how environmental factors like ultraviolet light and air pollutants change these microbe–AHR interactions. Results are intended to point toward ways to strengthen the skin barrier or block harmful signals that trigger inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with skin barrier problems such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), psoriasis, acne, or rosacea who are willing to provide skin samples or visit a research site.
Not a fit: People without skin barrier conditions or whose illness is unrelated to AHR signaling are less likely to benefit in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments or skin therapies that restore the barrier and reduce flares in eczema, psoriasis, acne, or rosacea.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory studies suggest AHR and skin microbes influence barrier function, but translating this to human treatments is still new.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uberoi, Aayushi — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Uberoi, Aayushi
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.