The University of Pittsburgh was awarded a $550,909 Project Grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) under the Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.846) to conduct research on resident memory T cells (Trm) in the skin. The research aims to investigate the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate the competition for active transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), which is critical for the fitness and persistence of skin-resident Trm cells. The 5-year project will test hypotheses related to the role of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling in chromatin modifications that enhance Trm fitness, the flexibility of the skin Trm niche mediated by keratinocyte expression of integrin αvβ6, and how Trm fitness and TGFβ transactivation shape antigen-specific CD8+ T cell pools in the context of chronic antigen exposure, such as in melanoma. This research aims to advance the fundamental understanding of Trm biology to inform efforts to maximize barrier host defense and treat numerous diseases involving skin immunity.
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