Researchers may have found a way to mitigate or eliminate excessive scarring during wound healing
Medical Services▸Surgery▸Plastic Surgery
UCLA Health
News Release May-5-2025
https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/researchers-may-have-found-way-mitigate-or-eliminate
研究發現
一項於 4 月 12 日發表於 Nature Communications 的研究指出，一種蛋白質可能有助於防止過度疤痕形成。該蛋白質稱為 fibromodulin（FMOD），可與 interleukin-1β形成分子複合體，抑制 肌成纖維細胞（myofibroblasts） 產生過量的疤痕組織。
研究影響
此研究結果可能促成新的治療策略，用以降低或預防過度疤痕的形成，對於因手術、外傷或燒燙傷而恢復中的患者具有潛在臨床益處。
Photo Credit: Joshua Sudock
BACKGROUND
In previous studies, the researchers had described the critical role of FMOD in enabling scarless fetal-type repair as well as preventing excessive scarring during adult-type repair. For this new study, the researchers investigated the effects of FMOD on myofibroblasts, a key cell in healing and scar formation. Myofibroblasts should die off after a wound heals, but they can continue forming tissue long afterwards, leading to excessive scarring. The fibromodulin-based complex promotes the death of myofibroblasts.
COMMENT
“Dr. Eric Kang Ting and I have been studying how to reduce skin scarring for the past two decades at UCLA,” said Dr. Chia Soo, professor of surgery and vice chair for research for the UCLA Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “This publication explores the crucial role of naturally occurring fibromodulin in regulating a key scar-forming cell, the myofibroblast. This, combined with our team’s FDA-approved clinical study led by Dr. Zhong Zheng using a fibromodulin-derived peptide in 54 patients for scar reduction, demonstrates a significant leap in potential treatments for patients with excessive scarring.”
作者
Study co-authors are Wenlu Jiang, Xiaoxiao Pang, Pin Ha, Chenshuang Li, Grace Xinlian Chang, Yuxin Zhang, and Lawrence A. Bossong, Eric Kang Ting, and Zhong Zheng.
FUNDING
• 美國 國家牙科與顱顏研究院（National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research） • 美國 國家關節炎、肌肉骨骼與皮膚疾病研究院（National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases） • UCLA 臨床與轉譯科學研究所（CTSI）（UL1TR000124） • UCLA Operation Mend • UCLA Orthopaedic Hospital • UCLA Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center • International Orthodontics Foundation • 中國博士後科學基金 • 中國重慶市自然科學基金 • 重慶醫科大學未來醫學青年創新計畫
利益揭露
Eric Kang Ting、Chia Soo 與 Zhong Zheng 為 fibromodulin 相關專利（由 UCLA 指派）的發明人。他們亦創立 Scarless Laboratories Inc. 與 Saint Therapeutics Inc.。這兩家公司自 加州大學董事會（UC Regents） 取得 fibromodulin 相關專利的再授權，而 UC Regents 同時持有該公司股權。此外，上述研究人員目前或曾任 Scarless Laboratories Inc. 與 Saint Therapeutics Inc. 的管理職位。