Wednesday, September 17, 2025 9/17/2025

Acne: a disease of lipid metabolism, microbiome and the immune response

Award Number: P50AR080594
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS & MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2027

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Acne: a disease of lipid metabolism, microbiome and the immune response - ABSTRACT / PROJECT SUMMARY Overall The overall goal of the UCLA/UCSD Acne Center for Research Translation (Acne CORT) is to bring together scientists with expertise in different aspects of microbiology, lipid metabolism and immunology to engage in translational research to study the interaction between the microbiota, lipid metabolism and the host immune response in acne. Cutibacterium acnes is the dominant bacterium of the pilosebaceous unit (PSebU), the initial site where acne lesions develop, and is considered to be one of the key contributing factors in the pathogenesis of acne. The UCLA/UCSD Research Project is based on our recent findings using transcriptomics, metagenomics and lipidomics, establishing the goal to link together these diverse biologic responses into a model that may explain the pathogenesis of acne. The UCLA/UCSD Research Project (Modlin, Gallo), “Acne: a disease of lipid metabolism, microbiome and the immune response”, will initially focus studies on the role of TREM2 macrophages and adipogenic fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of acne. Our preliminary data using from single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial-sequencing identified these two cell populations as over-represented in acne lesions, with gene programs reflecting their link to altered lipid metabolism. The project investigators will obtain acne biopsy specimens (Hata, Kim), then address the link between the immune response in acne lesions to the microbiome and lipid metabolism. The Research Project will be supported by a UCLA Bioinformatics Core (Pellegrini, Yang) to analyze scRNA-seq and spatial-seq of acne lesions, a UCSD Microbiology and Metagenomics Core (Gallo, O'Neill) to isolate and characterize C. acnes strains, and lipidomics analysis (Bensinger, UCLA) of biopsy specimens and key cell types derived in vitro. Ultimately, the Bioinformatics Core will use mergeomics to combine data from transcriptomics, metagenomics and lipidomics to create a network model of the pathogenesis of acne. The Administrative Core will facilitate research interactions between the projects with: i) research seminars, an Enrichment Program and Advisory Board meeting; ii) a Pilot and Feasibility Project Program to extend the research base; and, iii) plans to utilize the resources and environment at UCLA/UCSD including core facilities, the UCLA and UCSD Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program Centers as well as the mentoring programs for medical and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, dermatology trainees and junior faculty. The proposed studies will provide new insights into how lipid metabolism and the skin microbiome shape cutaneous immune responses contributing to inflammation, with the potential for intervention in skin disease.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $1,399,436 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	4	8/13/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,399,436
														Subtotal = $1,399,436

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $1,559,201 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	001	3	8/28/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,559,201
2024	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	2	3/14/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $1,559,201

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $1,563,705 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	2	8/24/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,563,705
														Subtotal = $1,563,705

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $1,568,723 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	1	8/24/2022	NEW	$1,568,723
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	001	1	9/23/2022	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $1,568,723

Grand Total All Awards = $6,091,065

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Acne: a disease of lipid metabolism, microbiome and the immune response

Award Number: P50AR080594

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS & MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2027

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