Over £3 million granted for university eczema research

Grant to investigate treatment and prevention

A team of researchers led by the University of Exeter have been awarded a £3.3 million grant by the Medical Research Council to study the treatment and potential cure for eczema.

This new five-year research programme brings together experts in immunology, fungal biology and dermatology from the Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM) in Exeter and King’s College London.

Professor Salomé LeibundGut-Landmann, project lead and Professor for Fungal Immunology at the MRC CMM, University of Exeter, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded this substantial research grant to advance the understanding of how fungi drive eczema, a very common and disabling skin disease. The close collaboration between clinicians and basic researchers fosters an interdisciplinary approach to identify the mechanisms of disease with direct translational implications for the patients.”

Eczema, also known as atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis, is one of the most common skin conditions worldwide and affects around one in five children and one in ten adults. Symptoms often include itchy, inflamed skin resulting in chronic sleep disruption, which may also lead to other allergic conditions like food and respiratory allergies.

While not life threatening, eczema can have a serious impact on people’s quality of life and living with eczema can cause emotional distress and social difficulties. Despite advances in treatment there is still no cure, and current medications do not work for everyone.

One key feature of eczema is that the skin becomes more sensitive and easily irritated by substances that are normally harmless, including some of the natural microorganisms that live on our skin. One such group is Malassezia, a type of fungus that naturally lives on everyone’s skin and may act as a trigger of eczema. In people with eczema, the body’s immune system may mistakenly react to Malassezia, contributing to inflammation and worsening symptoms.

Professor Neil Gow, project co-lead and Professor of Microbiology at MRC CMM, University of Exeter, said: “We expect that the results from our research will facilitate new therapeutic options for patients with severe forms of eczema, for which current treatments are often ineffective.”

Professor Carsten Flohr, project co-lead and Chair in Dermatology and Population Health Sciences at King's College London, said: “St John’s Institute of Dermatology is delighted to be working with the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology to better understand the cross-talk between fungi and the skin immune system in the commonest skin disease, atopic dermatitis.”