Regrowing healthy skin by repopulating donor grafts after severe burns
In Situ Skin Regeneration through Induction of Skin Allograft Chimerism for Treatment of Severe Burn Wounds
['FUNDING_R01'] · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · NIH-11259564
A short two-drug treatment aims to help donor skin grafts become living, patient-derived skin for people with large, full-thickness burns, including children.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11259564 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research uses a brief two-drug therapy (AMD3100 plus low-dose FK506) to mobilize stem cells so that deceased-donor skin grafts are repopulated by the patient’s own cells. Donor skin placed on large full-thickness burn wounds would be encouraged to become lasting, functional skin rather than temporary cover that is quickly rejected. The approach builds on prior findings that the drug combination enabled long-term organ graft survival in other models, and the team will advance the work through preclinical and translational studies toward human application. The ultimate goal is faster, more complete healing with less scarring and fewer complications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people of any age with large full-thickness burns who require deceased-donor skin allografts and are eligible for an experimental regenerative therapy.
Not a fit: Patients with minor burns that heal with standard care, those who do not need donor allografts, or people with contraindications to the study drugs may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could give people with severe burns more natural, long-lasting skin coverage while reducing infections, scarring, and hospital time.
How similar studies have performed: The AMD3100 plus low-dose FK506 combination showed promising long-term graft tolerance in prior organ transplant models, but using it to regenerate donor skin in people is a new and largely untested application.
Where this research is happening
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES
- JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY — BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SUN, ZHAOLI — JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: SUN, ZHAOLI
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.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus