Richard Gallo

Last updated
Richard L. Gallo
Born (1958-12-09) December 9, 1958 (age 65)
United States
Occupation(s)Professor, Dermatologist
Known forAntimicrobial Peptides, Microbiome

Richard L. Gallo is an American dermatologist who is a Distinguished Professor and founding Chairman of Dermatology at the University of California, San Diego [1] . His research accomplishments as a physician-scientist include discovery of antimicrobial peptides in mammalian skin, establishing new links between innate immunity and skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and rosacea, and defining the functions of the skin microbiome in host immune defense [2] .

Contents

Education

Gallo did his undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago, earned his MD and PhD at the University of Rochester, interned in Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Hospital, was a Dermatology resident at Harvard Medical School and was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University under the supervision of Merton Bernfield [3] '

Research

Gallo studies how humans interact with the environment and protect themselves from infection. He discovered that antimicrobial peptides are present in mammalian skin by demonstrating that cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides(Cathelicidins) are present during wound repair. [4] Subsequent work from his laboratory used molecular techniques to produce a knock out mouse that has shown how cathelicidin antimicrobials protect against infection in several organs including the skin. [5] By using a wide variety of biochemical and genetic tools his work has also shown that other antimicrobial peptides and elements of innate immunity such as Toll-like receptors and Hyaluronan influence human health. His work has translated into a new understanding of the cause of rosacea, a finding with immediate therapeutic implications. Most recently his research has defined biochemical mechanisms through which Vitamin D and the normal skin microflora Microbiome can control immune responses. These latest findings have advanced understanding of the Hygiene hypothesis, Atopic Dermatitis and Rosacea. His analysis of the function of the human skin microbiome is leading discovery of new therapeutic approaches to disease by discovering molecules from bacteria on the skin that can be used for drugs.

Several press releases and scientific publications have reported his discoveries. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

Awards and honors

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dermatitis</span> Inflammatory disease of the skin

Dermatitis is a term used for different types of skin inflammation, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened. The area of skin involved can vary from small to covering the entire body. Dermatitis is also called eczema but the same term is often used for the most common type of skin inflammation, atopic dermatitis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seborrhoeic dermatitis</span> Skin disease

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a long-term skin disorder. Symptoms include flaky, scaly, greasy, and occasionally itchy and inflamed skin. Areas of the skin rich in oil-producing glands are often affected including the scalp, face, and chest. It can result in social or self-esteem problems. In babies, when the scalp is primarily involved, it is called cradle cap. Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp may be described in lay terms as dandruff due to the dry, flaky character of the skin. However, as dandruff may refer to any dryness or scaling of the scalp, not all dandruff is seborrhoeic dermatitis. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is sometimes inaccurately referred to as seborrhoea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Contact dermatitis</span> Inflammation from allergen or irritant exposure

Contact dermatitis is a type of acute or chronic inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to chemical or physical agents. Symptoms of contact dermatitis can include itchy or dry skin, a red rash, bumps, blisters, or swelling. These rashes are not contagious or life-threatening, but can be very uncomfortable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosacea</span> Skin condition, usually on the face

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that typically affects the face. It results in redness, pimples, swelling, and small and superficial dilated blood vessels. Often, the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin are most involved. A red, enlarged nose may occur in severe disease, a condition known as rhinophyma.

<i>Demodex</i> Genus of mites that live on mammals

Demodex is a genus of tiny mites that live in or near hair follicles of mammals. Around 65 species of Demodex are known. Two species live on humans: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, both frequently referred to as eyelash mites, alternatively face mites or skin mites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atopic dermatitis</span> Long-term form of skin inflammation

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a long-term type of inflammation of the skin. AD is also often called simply eczema but the same term is also used to refer to dermatitis, the larger group of skin conditions. AD results in itchy, red, swollen, and cracked skin. Clear fluid may come from the affected areas, which can thicken over time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erythroderma</span> Inflammatory skin disease with redness and scaling

Erythroderma is an inflammatory skin disease with redness and scaling that affects nearly the entire cutaneous surface. This term applies when 90% or more of the skin is affected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azelaic acid</span> Organic chemical compound

Azelaic acid (AzA) is an organic compound with the formula HOOC(CH2)7COOH. This saturated dicarboxylic acid exists as a white powder. It is found in wheat, rye, and barley. It is a precursor to diverse industrial products including polymers and plasticizers, as well as being a component of a number of hair and skin conditioners. AzA inhibits tyrosinase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perioral dermatitis</span> Medical condition

Perioral dermatitis, also known as periorificial dermatitis, is a common type of inflammatory skin rash. Symptoms include multiple small (1–2 mm) bumps and blisters sometimes with background redness and scale, localized to the skin around the mouth and nostrils. Less commonly, the eyes and genitalia may be involved. It can be persistent or recurring, and resembles particularly rosacea and to some extent acne and allergic dermatitis. The term "dermatitis" is a misnomer because this is not an eczematous process.

Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) is an antimicrobial peptide encoded in the human by the CAMP gene. The active form is LL-37. In humans, CAMP encodes the peptide precursor CAP-18, which is processed by proteinase 3-mediated extracellular cleavage into the active form LL-37.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skin flora</span> Microbiota that reside on the skin

Skin flora, also called skin microbiota, refers to microbiota that reside on the skin, typically human skin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beta-defensin 2</span> Mammalian protein found in humans

Beta-defensin 2 (BD-2) also known as skin-antimicrobial peptide 1 (SAP1) is a peptide that in humans is encoded by the DEFB4 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jules A. Hoffmann</span> French biologist

Jules Alphonse Nicolas Hoffmann is a French biologist. During his youth, growing up in Luxembourg, he developed a strong interest in insects under the influence of his father, Jos Hoffmann. This eventually resulted in the younger Hoffmann's dedication to the field of biology using insects as model organisms. He currently holds a faculty position at the University of Strasbourg. He is a research director and member of the board of administrators of the National Center of Scientific Research (CNRS) in Strasbourg, France. He was elected to the positions of Vice-President (2005–2006) and President (2007–2008) of the French Academy of Sciences. Hoffmann and Bruce Beutler were jointly awarded a half share of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for "their discoveries concerning the activation of innate immunity,". [More specifically, the work showing increased Drosomycin expression following activation of Toll pathway in microbial infection.]

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Nizet</span>

Victor Nizet is an American physician-scientist and microbiologist. He is a Distinguished Professor and Vice Chair of Basic Research at the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine. He is also a Distinguished Professor at UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in La Jolla, California. He is known for his research in the areas of molecular microbiology and the innate immune system, with a particular focus on infectious diseases caused by common Gram-positive bacterial pathogens such as Group A Streptococcus, Group B Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus.

Skin immunity is a property of skin that allows it to resist infections from pathogens. In addition to providing a passive physical barrier against infection, the skin also contains elements of the innate and adaptive immune systems which allows it to actively fight infections. Hence the skin provides defense in depth against infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oclacitinib</span> Medication

Oclacitinib, sold under the brand name Apoquel among others, is a veterinary medication used in the control of atopic dermatitis and pruritus from allergic dermatitis in dogs at least 12 months of age. Chemically, it is a synthetic cyclohexylamino pyrrolopyrimidine janus kinase inhibitor that is relatively selective for JAK1. It inhibits signal transduction when the JAK is activated and thus helps downregulate expression of inflammatory cytokines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yasmine Belkaid</span> Algerian immunologist

'Yasmine Belkaid; born August 1968) is an immunologist, currently President of the Institut Pasteur. She has Algerian citizenship by her father and French citizenship by her mother, and she also holds US citizenship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Rosacea Society</span> U.S. nonprofit organization

The National Rosacea Society (NRS) is a 501(c) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of the estimated 16 million Americans who suffer from rosacea, a chronic facial skin disorder. Its mission is to raise awareness, provide health information, and support medical research that may lead to improvement in the management, prevention, and potential cure for rosacea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peptidoglycan recognition protein 4</span>

Peptidoglycan recognition protein 4 is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory innate immunity protein that in humans is encoded by the PGLYRP4 gene.

Breastmilk medicine refers to the non-nutritional usage of human breast milk (HBM) as a medicine or therapy to cure diseases. Breastmilk is perceived as an important food that provides essential nutrition to infants. It also provides protection in terms of immunity by direct transfer of antibodies from mothers to infants. The immunity developed via this mean protects infants from diseases such as respiratory diseases, middle ear infections, and gastrointestinal diseases. HBM can also produce lifelong positive therapeutic effects on a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmunity, and asthma.

References

  1. "Richard Gallo". dermatology.ucsd.edu.
  2. "Richard Gallo, MD, PhD: Future Research Opportunities on Skin Microbiome". HCP Live. February 25, 2023.
  3. "Richard Gallo, MD/PhD | 2022 SID Annual Meeting | 2022 SID Awardees".
  4. Gallo RL, Ono M, Povsic T, Page C, Eriksson E, Klagsbrun M, Bernfield M (November 1994). "Syndecans, cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans, are induced by a proline-rich antimicrobial peptide from wounds". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 91 (23): 11035–9. Bibcode:1994PNAS...9111035G. doi: 10.1073/pnas.91.23.11035 . PMC   45161 . PMID   7972004.
  5. Nizet V, Ohtake T, Lauth X, Trowbridge J, Rudisill J, Dorschner RA, Pestonjamasp V, Piraino J, Huttner K, Gallo RL (November 2001). "Innate antimicrobial peptide protects the skin from invasive bacterial infection". Nature. 414 (6862): 454–7. Bibcode:2001Natur.414..454N. doi:10.1038/35106587. PMID   11719807. S2CID   4413198.
  6. "Cause Of Skin Condition Rosacea Discovered". Science Daily. 5 August 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  7. "Oral Vitamin D May Help Prevent Some Skin Infections". ScienceDaily. October 2008.
  8. "Dirt can be good for children, say scientist". BBC News. November 2009.
  9. Kain D (23 November 2009). "Surface bacteria maintains skin's healthy balance". UC Newsroom. Archived from the original on 15 January 2014.
  10. Ong PY, Ohtake T, Brandt C, Strickland I, Boguniewicz M, Ganz T, Gallo RL, Leung DY (October 2002). "Endogenous antimicrobial peptides and skin infections in atopic dermatitis". The New England Journal of Medicine. 347 (15): 1151–60. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa021481 . PMID   12374875.
  11. Lai Y, Di Nardo A, Nakatsuji T, Leichtle A, Yang Y, Cogen AL, Wu ZR, Hooper LV, Schmidt RR, von Aulock S, Radek KA, Huang CM, Ryan AF, Gallo RL (December 2009). "Commensal bacteria regulate Toll-like receptor 3-dependent inflammation after skin injury". Nature Medicine. 15 (12): 1377–82. doi:10.1038/nm.2062. PMC   2880863 . PMID   19966777.
  12. Nakatsuji T, Chen TH, Narala S, Chun KA, Two AM, Yun T, Shafiq F, Kotol PF, Bouslimani A, Melnik AV, Latif H, Kim JN, Lockhart A, Artis K, David G, Taylor P, Streib J, Dorrestein PC, Grier A, Gill SR, Zengler K, Hata TR, Leung DY, Gallo RL (February 2017). "Staphylococcus aureusand are deficient in atopic dermatitis". Science Translational Medicine. 9 (378): eaah4680. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aah4680. PMC   5600545 . PMID   28228596.
  13. Nakatsuji T, Chen TH, Butcher AM, Trzoss LL, Nam SJ, Shirakawa KT, Zhou W, Oh J, Otto M, Fenical W, Gallo RL (February 2018). "Staphylococcus epidermidisprotects against skin neoplasia". Science Advances. 4 (2): eaao4502. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aao4502. PMC   5834004 . PMID   29507878.
  14. "2017 AAAS Fellows Recognized for Advancing Science | American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)". www.aaas.org.
  15. "Press Release | American Skin Association". americanskin.org.
  16. "National Academy of Medicine Elects 100 New Members". National Academy of Medicine. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  17. "UC San Diego Physician-Scientist Richard L. Gallo Elected to National Academy of Medicine". today.ucsd.edu.