How immune signals and genes could help skin regrow without scarring
Official title: Immune and genetic controls of tissue regeneration in mice and humans
Funded at Philadelphia VA Medical Center · NIH-11140344 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether turning on specific immune and genetic signals can help skin wounds heal back to normal without leaving a scar in mice and human tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Philadelphia VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX002701-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140344 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for future trials would include people with recent skin injuries, chronic wounds, or problematic scars who are willing to participate in clinical testing at the study site.
✕Less likely to help
People without skin wounds, those with injuries unrelated to skin architecture, or those who cannot attend clinic visits are unlikely to benefit directly from this work in the near term.
What this research studies
This project studies mice and human wound tissue to find molecular signals that let skin regenerate instead of forming fibrous scars. In mice, researchers create small ear wounds, use genetic strains that heal better, and apply a topical medicine (imiquimod) that activates nerve-linked TRPA1 signals, then analyze individual wound cells with single-cell RNA sequencing. They compare treated and untreated wounds to identify receptor pathways that drive complete closure, and they will look for the same signals in human samples to guide future therapies. The goal is to find targets that could be translated into treatments to help human skin heal with restored form and function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to therapies that make skin wounds heal with normal structure and function instead of permanent scars.
How similar studies have gone: Related mouse studies have shown promising results—genetic models improved ear-hole closure and topical imiquimod produced complete closure in about 20% of mice—yet translating this to humans remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
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Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leung, Thomas H. — Philadelphia VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Leung, Thomas H.
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.