Understanding how the immune system attacks skin cells in vitiligo
Official title: Dissecting Functional Autoimmunity through High-Resolution Multiomics in a Vitiligo Center of Research Translation (V-CoRT)
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10868476 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how vitiligo works by examining skin samples from patients to see how the immune system affects the cells that give skin its color, with the hope of finding better treatments for vitiligo and similar conditions.
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) | $1,662,123 |
| NIH project number | 5P50AR080593-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10868476 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with vitiligo, particularly those with visible skin lesions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with autoimmune diseases other than vitiligo or those without any skin manifestations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind vitiligo, an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly targets skin cells responsible for pigmentation. By analyzing skin samples from patients, the study aims to uncover how immune cells interact with and destroy these pigment-producing cells. The approach involves high-resolution multiomics data to create a detailed communication network among various cell types involved in the disease. This comprehensive understanding could lead to better treatments for vitiligo and similar autoimmune conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for vitiligo and enhance our understanding of other autoimmune diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding autoimmune mechanisms through similar multiomics approaches, indicating potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harris, John E — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Harris, John E
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.