Understanding how cells communicate in vitiligo
Official title: Cell-Cell Communications and Tissue Memory in Vitiligo
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10868483 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how skin cells talk to each other and how that communication goes wrong in vitiligo, a condition that causes skin to lose its color, with the hope of finding new ways to treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $578,773 |
| NIH project number | 5P50AR080593-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10868483 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with vitiligo, particularly those experiencing significant skin changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with vitiligo who are not actively seeking treatment or those with other unrelated skin conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the communication between cells in the skin, particularly focusing on how these interactions are disrupted in vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that causes loss of skin pigment. By utilizing advanced techniques like single cell RNA sequencing, the study aims to map out the signaling pathways involved in vitiligo and identify the molecules that are altered in affected skin. This could lead to a better understanding of the disease and the development of new treatments that target these communication pathways. The research emphasizes the importance of cell-to-cell interactions in maintaining skin health and how their disruption can lead to autoimmune conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for vitiligo, enhancing the quality of life for patients affected by this condition.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding autoimmune diseases through cell communication studies, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garber, Manuel — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Garber, Manuel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cell communications and tissue memory in vitiligo
This grant looks at how skin cells talk to each other and how these conversations may drive vitiligo, with the goal of finding new ways to treat or manage the condition.
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Autoreactive T Cell Function in Vitiligo
A study in people with vitiligo and related models aims to understand how skin-homing T cells drive pigment loss and how this knowledge could lead to better treatments.
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Understanding why the immune system targets skin in vitiligo and how this causes lasting damage
A research program is studying how immune cells attack pigment cells in the skin of people with vitiligo and what drives this autoimmune process.
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Understanding why some vitiligo patches repigment while others stay white
This grant studies why certain vitiligo patches repigment in some areas after treatment and why others persist, aiming to make treatments faster and more even.
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Understanding Cell Communication and Tissue Memory in Vitiligo
This project aims to understand how skin cells communicate and remember past events in people with vitiligo, hoping to find new ways to treat the condition.
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Understanding T Cells in Vitiligo
This research explores how certain immune cells, called T cells, cause the skin condition vitiligo, which leads to white spots on the skin.
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.