Clemson Researchers Target Key Immune Mechanism in Inflammatory Skin Disease

Researchers from Clemson University, led by Shahid Mukhtar, have made significant strides in understanding the immune mechanisms of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting up to 4% of people worldwide. **Utilizing a multiomics approach**, they pinpointed CD2 as a crucial immune receptor on T cells and innate lymphoid cells involved in the disease. The team used single-cell sequencing and collaborative experiments to demonstrate that blocking CD2 in HS patients' skin cultures reduced cytokine and chemokine production, hinting at a promising therapeutic target. This discovery not only opens new avenues for managing HS but also highlights the potential of integrating multiomics with AI in precision medicine. The research aims to deepen the understanding of cellular networks and could lead to targeted therapies for HS and similar immune-related conditions. The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.