Th17 extracellular traps and skin bacteria in acne health
Official title: Th17 extracellular trap-mediated antimicrobial host defense in acne vulgaris
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11374876 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in people with acne aims to understand how specific skin bacteria and immune cells interact to fight acne-causing germs and how this could lead to better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $403,460 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081337-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374876 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with acne vulgaris who can provide skin samples or participate in related observational components.
✕Less likely to help
People without acne or those unable to participate in skin sampling may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers at UCLA are investigating how a common acne bacterium interacts with the skin’s immune system, focusing on TH17 cells and their antimicrobial extracellular traps. The work compares acne-associated and healthy skin bacteria to see how they steer immune responses. By mapping the immune environment inside acne lesions, the team hopes to identify new targets and biomarkers for therapies. This could eventually lead to strategies that modulate immune responses or reshape the skin’s microbial balance to improve acne. The study uses human skin samples and relevant laboratory models to explore these mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new treatment targets and biomarkers that help tailor acne therapies and reduce severity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown immune cells and skin bacteria influence acne; this project extends mechanistic insight into TH17-TETs and bacterial interactions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Agak, George W — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Agak, George W
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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.