Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) awarded Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai a Project Grant totaling $581,451 under the Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.846). The award, effective June 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031, supports basic research investigating the neuroimmune mechanisms underlying pruritus (itch). The research project examines how commensal microbiota-induced immune responses, particularly through the IL-17A/IL-17RA signaling axis, contribute to sensory nerve hyperinnervation and chronic itch sensations. The work utilizes transgenic mouse models to elucidate the interplay between T cell immunity to Staphylococcus aureus, inflammatory cytokine production, and maladaptive neuronal growth during inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

This project addresses a significant clinical gap, as pruritus affects approximately 15% of the population with limited FDA-approved treatment options. The research deliverables will include mechanistic insights into pruritus pathogenesis, preclinical data from animal models, and peer-reviewed publications contributing to the broader understanding of sensory-immune system interactions in skin diseases. These outcomes are designed to inform the development of novel therapeutic interventions targeting the neuroimmune drivers of chronic itch and related inflammatory skin conditions.