How skin cells and nerve cells work together to heal burn injuries and manage pain.
Official title: Interplay Between Langerhans Cells and Sensory Neurons: Impact on Wound Healing and Nociception Following Burn Injuries
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-10943495 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the skin help heal burn injuries and how they work with nerve cells that send pain and itch signals, with the goal of finding better ways to treat pain and itching for people recovering from burns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $330,025 |
| NIH project number | 1R01GM155523-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10943495 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have sustained burn injuries and experience complications related to wound healing, pain, or itch.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-burn related injuries or conditions that do not involve Langerhans cells or sensory neuron interactions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Langerhans cells, which are skin immune cells, in the healing process after burn injuries and their interaction with sensory neurons that transmit pain and itch sensations. By using advanced techniques like optogenetics and chemogenetics, the study aims to manipulate these cells in a controlled manner to understand their specific contributions to wound healing and sensory responses. The findings could lead to improved treatments for pain and itching associated with burns, enhancing patient recovery and quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve wound healing and reduce pain and itching for burn injury patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of immune cells in wound healing, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Akiyama, Tasuku — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Akiyama, Tasuku
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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.