# Pathogenesis and Therapy of Ichthyosis in Disorders of Lipid Metabolism

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE/RES/EDU · 2020 · $337,260

## Abstract

Current therapy of the ichthyoses, including the lipid synthetic, autosomal recessive congenital ichthyoses
(ARCI), is largely symptomatic, and often irrational; e.g., when removal of excess scale interferes with
homeostatic responses that allow patients to survive in a harsh, terrestrial environment. At the other extreme,
corrective gene therapy, though seductive in concept, remains a distant dream, with many potential pitfalls.
Our proposed new approach has been first, to identify pathogenic mechanisms in ARCI patients, using
biopsies from patients and animal models, as well as organotypic models (HEEs) of the ARCI, prepared from
either patient fibroblast or keratinocyte cell lines, or from normal fibroblasts by CRISPR/Cas 9 technology.
Using ultrastructural, lipid biochemical, and RNA-seq technology, we will assess both the cellular and genetic
basis for these disorders, and identify compensatory mechanisms that account for patient survival. We then will
assess whether this new information can translate into readily-deployable, topical therapies for patients after
their initial optimization in ARCI HEEs, and in disease-appropriate animal models. Following identification and
optimization of effective therapy in the animal models, we will initiate clinical studies for these patients,
supported by a parallel grant proposal. If successful, this approach should initiate a paradigm shift in how many
of the ichthyoses will be treated in the future. Finally, since the cutaneous phenotype reflects pathogenic
mechanisms that also are on-going in syndromic disorders with extracutaneous disease manifestations,
successful pathogenesis-based therapy for these ARCI could also identify comparable approaches to
treat/prevent the extracutaneous manifestations of these disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9872128
- **Project number:** 5R01AR061106-08
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE/RES/EDU
- **Principal Investigator:** Theodora M Mauro
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $337,260
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-03-01 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9872128

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9872128, Pathogenesis and Therapy of Ichthyosis in Disorders of Lipid Metabolism (5R01AR061106-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9872128. Licensed CC0.

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