Researchers at the\u00a0Terasaki Institute for Biomedical\u00a0Innovation\u00a0and the University of Arizona College\u00a0of\u00a0Medicine\u00a0have developed a topical gel\u00a0formulation\u00a0with 4-aminopyridine (4-AP),\u00a0to\u00a0treat\u00a0burn wounds, achieving near-complete closure in\u00a021\u00a0days. The findings are published in the journal\u00a0Biomaterials.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Burn injuries rank among the most difficult wounds to heal. The current gold standard,\u00a0transplanting skin from a donor site on the patient’s own body,\u00a0is limited by donor site morbidity and the need for\u00a0large amounts\u00a0of healthy tissue. This research offers a non-invasive alternative: a laponite-gelatin gel that delivers 4-AP directly to the wound,\u00a0concentrating\u00a0the drug where it is needed rather than exposing the whole body to it. Prolonged systemic use of 4-AP can cause serious side effects, including seizures, making localized delivery a critical advance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The drug is best known under the brand name\u00a0Ampyra\u00a0for treating multiple sclerosis. Earlier work showed it could influence keratinocytes and fibroblasts:\u00a0the two cell types central to skin repair,\u00a0but systemic administration carried unacceptable risks. Embedding it in a gel resolves that problem while preserving its therapeutic potential.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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By delivering 4-AP directly to the wound site, we harness its regenerative potential while avoiding the systemic risks that have limited its use. We believe this approach could meaningfully change how burn injuries are managed clinically.”<\/p>\n
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Dr. Johnson V. John, Assistant Professor, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Laboratory tests confirmed\u00a0that\u00a0the gel releases 4-AP at a controlled rate, is compatible with living cells, and produces\u00a0more than 90\u00a0percent\u00a0wound closure within\u00a048 hours. In animal studies, treated wounds closed faster than controls starting at day six, reaching near-complete closure by day 21,\u00a0while control wounds remained partially open. Tissue analysis showed the gel reduced inflammation<\/a>, promoted re-epithelialization and angiogenesis, and drove fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation. Collagen deposition increased markedly\u00a0by\u00a0438 percent for type I and 288 percent for type III versus controls (P < 0.05 to P < 0.0002),\u00a0with an improved collagen ratio signaling better-quality tissue maturation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Because 4-AP is already FDA-approved with a well-characterized safety profile, this repurposing strategy could accelerate the path to clinical trials compared with developing an entirely new compound from scratch.\u00a0<\/p>\n “This research exemplifies our commitment to reimagining existing therapies to address medicine’s most persistent challenges. We look forward to seeing it advance toward clinical application,”\u00a0stated\u00a0Xiling Shen,\u00a0Acting Director\u00a0of the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation.\u00a0<\/p>\n This study\u00a0represents\u00a0a meaningful step forward in burn wound care,\u00a0demonstrating\u00a0that a well-established drug can be safely repurposed through\u00a0simple and\u00a0smart delivery technology to achieve outcomes that current treatments cannot. As the researchers move toward further preclinical and clinical evaluation, the 4-AP gel has the potential to offer burn patients a faster, less invasive path to recovery\u00a0and to reduce the burden that severe burn injuries place on patients and healthcare systems alike.\u00a0<\/p>\n Source:<\/p>\n Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation<\/a><\/p>\n Journal reference:<\/p>\n