Decoding the Neuroimmune Basis of Itch, Pain and Mental Health in Psoriasis
Principal Investigator: Jack Major, Ph.D.
Institution: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Grant Mechanism: Discovery Grant
Funding Amount: $75,000
Project Start Date: August 1, 2025
Project End Date: July 31, 2026
Status: Active
Keywords: Comorbidity, Psoriasis, Basic Science, Animal Models, Comorbidity, Inflammation, Mental Health, Neuroimmunology
Project Summary:
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by pain, itch, and a high prevalence of anxiety and depression. This project investigates the biological link between these sensory and mental health symptoms in psoriasis. We aim to 1) study how inflammation alters pain, itch, and emotional responses; 2) explore how inflammation affects neuron activity in the brain and skin; and 3) identify immune factors driving these responses. By understanding this "peripheral neuroimmune crosstalk," our research seeks to uncover novel therapeutic targets that address both the physical and emotional challenges faced by psoriasis patients.
How will your project help improve the lives of the 125 million affected by psoriatic disease?
Patients with psoriasis frequently experience comorbid mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, as well as heightened itch and pain sensations—both highly debilitating symptoms. While significant progress has been made in understanding the immune pathways that drive psoriatic disease, far less is known about the biological mechanisms behind its sensory and emotional components. By better understanding how the immune system worsens these debilitating aspects of the disease, we can open new doors to more holistic and effective treatments that improve quality of life for those living with psoriasis.
Why is psoriatic disease research important to you, personally? What role will this award play in your research efforts or career development?
Through my work studying inflammatory skin disease, I’ve learned that the most debilitating aspects often aren’t the inflammation itself—but the itch, pain, and the toll on mental health that come with it and the negative impact this has on day-to-day life. While everyone faces mental health challenges at some point, rates are significantly higher in those living with chronic diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that this emotional burden isn’t just psychosocial—it’s driven in part by underlying biological mechanisms that influence emotion and behavior. With support from the NPF award, I’ll explore these neuroimmune pathways in psoriasis and expand on this foundation to understand their relevance across chronic illnesses—including autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and cancer.
Researcher Profile:
Dr. Jack Major received his B.Sc. in Immunology from the University of Glasgow, before moving to the Francis Crick Institute and Imperial College London to conduct his graduate research in the lab of Andreas Wack. During his Ph.D., Jack studied the interface between innate antiviral immunity and lung tissue regeneration, identifying a novel mechanism of immunopathology in respiratory viral infection. He received the 2020 International Interferon and Cytokine Society Graduate Award in recognition of this work.
In 2023, Jack was awarded an EMBO Fellowship and a Leon Levy Fellowship in Neuroscience to study skin neuroimmune crosstalk in Dr. Shruti Naik’s laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His current work builds on these themes, exploring the impact of skin inflammation on mental health and sensation in psoriasis.