PDGFRB's role in skin thinning and scarring

PDGFRB Signaling in Progressive Skin Disease

['FUNDING_R01'] · OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION · NIH-11262937

Researchers are testing how changes in the PDGFRB gene cause skin thinning or scarring in adults with rare PDGFRB-related skin conditions.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorOKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (nih funded)
Locations1 site (OKLAHOMA CITY, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11262937 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

From a patient perspective, the team will model the exact PDGFRB gene changes seen in people by turning those mutations on in mice specifically in skin fibroblasts or the fat under the skin. They will also switch off related signaling proteins like STAT family members and study AKT pathway effects to see which pathways drive thinning versus fibrotic scarring. The experiments use inducible genetic tools in mice to mimic different human mutations and compare resulting skin changes. The goal is to pinpoint the cell types and molecular signals that lead to the different skin problems seen in people with PDGFRB mutations.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for any future patient-facing work would be adults with confirmed PDGFRB gain-of-function mutations who have dermal atrophy, thickening, or keloid-like scarring.

Not a fit: People with common or unrelated skin conditions that are not caused by PDGFRB mutations are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify molecular targets or biomarkers that guide future treatments to prevent or reduce PDGFRB-related skin thinning or fibrosis.

How similar studies have performed: Genetic mouse-model studies have clarified mechanisms for other rare skin disorders, but PDGFRB-specific models are new and translation to patient therapies remains unproven.

Where this research is happening

OKLAHOMA CITY, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.