Objective Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin inflammatory disease affecting 10-20% of children worldwide. The etiology of AD is incompletely understood, but many elements (e.g. genetic, environmental or immune) are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis. The skin is specifically enriched in mast cells (MCs) and innervated by a network of abundant sensory neurons. New findings suggest that nociceptive sensory neurons (nociceptors) might regulate the development of immune responses. Skin MCs also express a transcriptional signature of genes encoding neuropeptide receptors (e.g. Mrgprb2: the receptor for the substance P [SP]), through which MCs might uniquely interact with nociceptors. Based on solid preliminary data, the central hypothesis of this project is that SP-producing nociceptor/Mrgprb2+ MC interactions play a critical role in AD pathogenesis. Using a relevant mouse model of AD and innovative imaging approaches, we now aim to elucidate [1] which subset(s) of nociceptor is involved in AD, [2] how SP+ nociceptor/Mrgprb2+ MC interact in our model and in skin lesions from patients diagnosed with AD and [3] how such interactions might favor skin barrier dysfunction. This project promises to provide new insights into skin neuro-immune interactions and may lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets to treat AD pathology. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicinepneumologyasthmamedical and health scienceshealth sciencesinflammatory diseasesmedical and health sciencesclinical medicinedermatologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepathology Keywords NeuroImmunology Nociceptors Mast cells Skin Barrier Atopic Dermatitis Allergic disorders Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE Net EU contribution € 185 076,00 Address Rue de tolbiac 101 75654 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00