PEDF-enriched urine-derived stem cell sheets for corneal healing after sulfur mustard injury
Official title: PEDF-enriched Urine-derived Stem Cell Sheets for Corneal Wound Healing in Mustard Gas Injury
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11335528 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new therapy using a patient’s own urine-derived stem cells engineered to release PEDF aims to heal corneal wounds caused by sulfur mustard exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $426,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EY037262-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11335528 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with sulfur mustard–related chronic corneal injury who are eligible for autologous cell-based therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without corneal injury or without access to autologous urine-derived cells may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project uses a patient-specific, non-invasive source of stem cells obtained from urine to create a sheet of corneal cells, enhanced with pigment epithelium-derived factor to promote healing. The approach seeks to overcome limitations of current stem cell options by avoiding invasive harvesting and reducing tumor risk. It combines autologous cell sheets with sustained PEDF delivery to support epithelial regeneration and limit inflammation and scarring in sulfur mustard–related corneal injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience faster, more reliable corneal healing with better vision outcomes and fewer complications after chemical injury.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work has shown autologous USC-derived epithelial sheets can form functional layers and support healing in ocular contexts, with favorable safety signals.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Yuanyuan No — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Yuanyuan No
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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.