Characterization of Skin-To-Joint Communication Pathways in Psoriatic Arthritis
Principal Investigator: Ricard Garcia-Carbonell, Ph.D.
Institution: The Scripps Research Institute - La Jolla
Grant Mechanism: Early Career Research Grant
Funding Amount: $50,000
Project Start Date: August 1, 2025
Project End Date: July 31, 2026
Status: Active
Keywords: Psoriatic Arthritis, Translational Research, Cell Biology, Cell Signaling, Animal Models, Inflammation
Project Summary:
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs, particularly the skin and joints. Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that PsA often originates in the skin before involving the joints, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this inter-organ communication remain poorly understood. Our laboratory has developed a novel technology that enables tracking of protein movement across tissues and the investigation of their function at distant sites. Using this approach, we have identified proteins secreted from the skin that reach other organs, including the joints. This project will leverage that platform to investigate how skin-derived proteins influence joint inflammation in PsA, using both mouse models and human patient samples. The research will be conducted in a highly collaborative setting, with basic and translational researchers from Scripps and UC San Diego.
How will your project help improve the lives of the 125 million affected by psoriatic disease?
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affects up to 30% of individuals with psoriasis, yet the biological signals linking skin inflammation to joint disease remain poorly understood. This project addresses a critical gap by uncovering the proteins secreted from inflamed skin that travel to the joints and drive inflammation. Using an innovative in vivo proteomics system and human samples, we will map the skin-to-joint protein network and identify specific skin-derived proteins that modulate synovial macrophage activation. By revealing novel molecular pathways connecting skin and joint pathology, this research aims to discover new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, ultimately improving diagnosis, prevention, and treatment strategies for psoriatic disease.
Why is psoriatic disease research important to you, personally? What role will this award play in your research efforts or career development?
Psoriatic disease research is deeply meaningful to me because it represents a complex, multi-organ condition that exemplifies the need to understand systemic communication in chronic inflammation. My training has focused on unraveling how signals originating in one tissue—such as the skin—can impact distant organs like the joints. Psoriatic arthritis offers a powerful model to study this concept, as it often begins with skin inflammation and progresses to joint damage, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood.
This award from the National Psoriasis Foundation is not only a great honor, but also a critical support for my transition toward research independence. It enables me to pursue an innovative and high-risk project that combines cutting-edge proteomic tools with disease models and human samples. This opportunity will help establish my niche in inter-organ communication and inflammatory diseases, and will be instrumental in building the foundation for my future independent laboratory.
Researcher Profile:
Dr. Ricard Garcia-Carbonell is a postdoctoral researcher at The Scripps Research Institute, with a strong background in translational biomedical research focused on inter-organ communication and systemic inflammatory diseases. He earned his B.S. in Biomedical Sciences in Spain, followed by an M.S. in Biomedical Research and a Ph.D. inDr. Ricard Garcia-Carbonell is a postdoctoral researcher at The Scripps Research Institute, with a strong background in translational biomedical research focused on inter-organ communication and systemic inflammatory diseases. He earned his B.S. in Biomedical Sciences in Spain, followed by an M.S. in Biomedical Research and a Ph.D. in Signal Transduction from his work at UC San Diego and the University of Barcelona.
His doctoral and postdoctoral work spans inflammation and cross-organ signaling in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. He has trained in internationally recognized laboratories, including those of Dr. Michael Karin, Dr. Monica Guma, Dr. Fu-Tong Liu, and currently Dr. Ilia Droujinine. His research integrates molecular biology, mouse models, and proteomics to uncover how intestinal signals influence inflammation in distant organs such as the joints and skin.
Dr. Garcia-Carbonell is pursuing a career as an independent investigator, aiming to develop novel therapies that target inter-organ communication in chronic inflammatory diseases.