Understanding how immune cells and skin fibroblasts drive skin scarring
Official title: Elucidating the Cellular and Molecular Basis of Fibroinflammation
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11596580 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at UC San Francisco will look at how CD8+ T cells and a special skin fibroblast population contribute to fibrosing skin diseases, with the goal of identifying targets to prevent scarring.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $300,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AR087127-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11596580 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with fibrosing skin diseases or related inflammatory skin conditions may eventually benefit from therapies developed from these findings.
✕Less likely to help
People without fibrosing skin conditions may not directly benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on how inflammation in the skin leads to fibrosis, specifically examining CD8+ T cells and Pi16-expressing fibroblasts. Researchers will study the cellular interactions and molecular signals that cause these cells to promote pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic environments. The work aims to map how adipocyte loss and cytokine signaling influence fibroinflammation, using human-relevant models to understand disease mechanisms. By clarifying these pathways, the study hopes to identify potential points for therapeutic intervention to reduce fibrosis and disease burden.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these mechanisms could lead to new treatments that lessen skin fibrosis and improve quality of life for patients with fibrosing skin diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that CD8+ T cells and inflammatory fibroblasts can influence fibrosis in the skin or other tissues, suggesting this approach is promising but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosenblum, Michael David — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Rosenblum, Michael David
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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.