How immune cells help skin nerves grow back after peripheral nerve injury
Role of immune cells in skin reinnervation by collateral sprouting after peripheral nerve injury
This work looks at whether immune cells called macrophages help nearby healthy nerves sprout into numb skin after peripheral nerve injuries, which could help people with sensory loss or nerve pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326226 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be told that the team is studying what happens in skin after a peripheral nerve is injured, focusing on immune cells called macrophages and their relationship to sprouting nerve endings. They will track where and when these macrophages appear, how they change over time, and whether they sit next to newly sprouting pain-sensing fibers. The researchers will use lab models to change macrophage numbers or function and watch how that affects nerve sprouting and skin reinnervation. The goal is to learn whether manipulating these immune cells could speed recovery of feeling or reduce neuropathic pain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future related clinical work would be people who have suffered a peripheral nerve injury with loss of skin sensation or neuropathic pain.
Not a fit: Patients with central nervous system injuries (for example spinal cord or brain injuries) or long-standing complete nerve loss are less likely to benefit from this peripheral nerve-focused approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to treatments that boost macrophage-driven nerve sprouting to restore skin sensation more quickly after peripheral nerve injury.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have shown macrophages help axon regeneration, but using macrophages specifically to drive collateral sprouting into denervated skin is a newer and less-tested idea.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jeon, Sangmin — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Jeon, Sangmin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.