Understanding how skin immune cells interact with bacteria

Functional Dissection of Regulatory Myeloid Cells in Microbe-Immune Crosstalk in Skin

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11014998

This study is looking at how certain immune cells in our skin interact with the good bacteria that live there, which could help us understand how to keep our skin healthy and prevent issues like acne and dermatitis.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11014998 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between skin immune cells and the bacteria that naturally inhabit our skin. It focuses on a specific type of immune cell, known as type 2 conventional dendritic cells (cDC2s), which play a crucial role in maintaining skin health by promoting tolerance to these bacteria. The researchers will use advanced techniques, including engineered bacteria and mouse models, to explore how these immune cells respond to bacterial signals and support skin homeostasis. The findings could provide insights into how our immune system protects against skin conditions like acne and dermatitis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from skin conditions such as acne, allergic dermatitis, or atopic eczema.

Not a fit: Patients with skin conditions unrelated to immune responses or those not affected by bacterial interactions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for skin conditions by enhancing our understanding of immune responses to skin bacteria.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune interactions with skin bacteria, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.