Understanding how a specific protein helps the skin fight fungal infections
Official title: Defining the role(s) of CGRPα during cutaneous antifungal immunity
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10996336 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special protein called CGRPα helps your skin fight off fungal infections like those caused by Candida, with the hope of finding better treatments for people who are more likely to get these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $53,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F30AI181455-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996336 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are hospitalized or immunocompromised patients who are at high risk for invasive candidiasis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with intact immune systems who do not experience severe fungal infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Calcitonin gene-related peptide alpha (CGRPα) in enhancing the skin's immune response against invasive fungal infections caused by Candida species. The study aims to understand how CGRPα, released by pain-sensing neurons, interacts with immune cells in the skin to boost antifungal immunity. By using a model of Candida infection, researchers will explore the mechanisms by which CGRPα influences immune responses, potentially leading to new treatments for patients at risk of severe fungal infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel therapies that improve survival rates for patients suffering from life-threatening fungal infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting immune mechanisms can improve outcomes in fungal infections, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gillis, Jacob — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Gillis, Jacob
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.