# Skin-associated B cells in allergy

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 2021 · $201,875

## Abstract

Project Abstract
A number of human chronic inflammatory diseases caused by infection, autoimmunity and allergy are strongly
linked to B cells that infiltrate the skin, yet the precise role of skin-associated B cells in disease pathogenesis
remains unclear. In particular, the underlying mechanisms by which skin exposure to allergens leads to the
development and maintenance of IgE production has not been investigated, and a direct contribution by
disease-specific B cells to inflammation and allergic reactions in tissue sites such as skin remains to be fully
explored. In the studies proposed here we will characterize an expanded population of B cells found in skin of
patients with food allergy to red meat and in a novel mouse model of meat allergy our lab recently developed.
We will explore the kinetics and phenotype of CCR6hi B cells that accumulate in inflamed skin, evaluate the
specific contribution of CCR6hi B cells to disease as well as their function as allergen-specific IgE-producing
cells. These efforts will provide a broad assessment of the features and potential functions of this highly
expanded B cell population in human allergy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10088409
- **Project number:** 5R21AI152447-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Loren D Erickson
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $201,875
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-02-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10088409

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10088409, Skin-associated B cells in allergy (5R21AI152447-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10088409. Licensed CC0.

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