MicroRNA networks in skin inflammation

The project will explore how microRNAs contribute to skin immune and stromal cell function and cell-to-cell communication using advanced in vitro models, cutting-edge imaging, immunological, and molecular cell biology techniques, and by analysing clinical samples. The project will focus on acne, the most common inflammatory dermatosis seen worldwide. Driven by aberrant inflammation, scarring can occur in up to 95% of people who develop the condition. Dissecting how post-transcriptional networks contribute to pathogenic skin inflammation will be the main topic of this project. Importantly, the mechanisms explored here will be of high relevance to skin inflammation beyond the context of acne.
Building on our recently published work, which identified acne-associated microRNAs (Ghumra et al, 2021), the project will develop and validate 2-D and 3-D cellular models to assess their mechanism of action with a particular focus on neutrophil-endothelium interactions. We will also assess tissue cellular origin and levels and circulating levels of acne-associated microRNAs in clinical samples before and after treatment. Mechanistic and clinical studies will be integrated to gain insight into how microRNAs can inform current treatments or be used as therapeutic targets.