Understanding how ABHD17 affects Pemphigus Vulgaris and desmosome glue
Official title: Determining the role of ABHD17 in Pemphigus Vulgaris
Funded at University of Missouri Kansas City · NIH-11356395 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small NIH grant supports studying how a specific enzyme, ABHD17, influences the skin’s sticky connections in Pemphigus vulgaris to help reduce painful blisters.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri Kansas City NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $157,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DE035961-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11356395 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Pemphigus vulgaris or related desmosomal adhesion issues could potentially benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits are unlikely for individuals without Pemphigus vulgaris or related skin adhesion disorders.
What this research studies
Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare autoimmune skin disease where patients form painful blisters due to disrupted cell-to-cell adhesion. This project focuses on ABHD17’s role in depalmitoylating desmosomal proteins like Dsg3, which may weaken desmosome stability. By examining how ABHD17 activity changes desmosome assembly and disassembly, researchers aim to identify potential targets to restore adhesion and prevent blistering. The study uses cellular and molecular approaches to understand how palmitoylation and depalmitoylation affect keratinocyte adhesion in PV. If successful, findings could inform new strategies to protect skin integrity in PV patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new therapies that strengthen skin adhesion and reduce blistering in Pemphigus vulgaris.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work indicates desmosome palmitoylation is important for adhesion, supporting potential benefits of targeting ABHD17.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wahl, James K — University of Missouri Kansas City
- Study coordinator: Wahl, James K
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.