Topical treatments using botulinum proteases for skin inflammation
Official title: Cell-penetrating botulinum proteases as topical therapeutics
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10887823 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing new skin treatments that use special proteins to help calm down the nerve and immune cell communication in the skin, which could help reduce inflammation and symptoms for people with conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $172,700 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR084252-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10887823 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, or other inflammatory skin disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-inflammatory skin conditions or those who do not respond to topical treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new topical treatments that utilize cell-penetrating botulinum proteases to target the communication between nerve and immune cells in the skin. By inhibiting the release of neuropeptides and cytokines, these treatments aim to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms associated with conditions like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. The approach involves applying these engineered proteases to the skin and assessing their ability to penetrate and exert therapeutic effects. The goal is to provide a complementary option to existing systemic treatments for better patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative topical therapies that significantly reduce skin inflammation and improve the quality of life for patients with chronic skin conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that botulinum neurotoxins can effectively reduce neuropeptide secretion, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jin, Rongsheng — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Jin, Rongsheng
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.