Dr. Jan Dutz

2007 Career Investigator Award, Senior Scholar

Use of the skin immune system and dendritic cells to alter systemic immunity|,|

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and is the body's primary interface with the external environment. The skin is challenged by a broad range of factors and conditions — those that originate from within, such as genetic, immune-related and systemic, and those that come from our environment such as solar radiation, allergens, irritants, pollutants, and microbes. Consequently, the skin is a major site for disease including inflammation and cancer.

Dendritic cells are immune cells that begin and coordinate immune responses. The skin is one of the largest repositories of these dendritic cells, making it one of the prime sites where immune responses begin, in addition to it being a direct target for inflammation.

The skin offers a unique opportunity to observe and manipulate dendritic cells and thereby the immune system. As a clinician scientist, Dr. Jan Dutz’s research focus is investigating the use of the skin immune system in modifying immune responses — an innovative area of study that will improve immune responses to skin cancers and vaccines. Now, Dr. Dutz is determining the role the skin immune system plays in the creation of, or loss of, immune responses, its role in the development of skin diseases, and the ability of pharmaceutical agents in modulating the activity of dentritic cells in other areas of the body.

This research will lead to a better understanding of the role of the skin immune system in systemic as well as local auto-immune disease, such as lupus, psoriasis and type 1 diabetes. The program will also lead to new and cost effective strategies to treat and prevent disease, and improvements in vaccine delivery and effectiveness.

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