Efficacy Of Intradermal Allogeneic Fibroblast Injections In Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa

Abstract

Objective — to assess the efficacy and safety of intradermal injections of allogeneic fibroblasts into non-healing wounds in a patient with junctional epidermolysis bullosa. Material and Methods — A 49-year-old patient with intermediate junctional epidermolysis bullosa was injected intradermally into the base of non-healing wounds with 1 mL suspension of allogeneic fibroblasts, which contained 5×106 cells/mL, 10×106 cells/mL, and 20×106 cells/mL. Immunofluorescence mapping exhibited reduced β3 chain of laminin 332 and collagen XVII expression in the basement membrane area. Paired erosions were injected with 2% albumin or saline solution. Results — At two weeks after treatment, wound areas reduced significantly, or 100% re-epithelialization occurred. Collagen XVII and β3 chain expression of laminin 332 increased at the dermal-epidermal junction. Conclusion — Our findings demonstrated that intradermal injections of allogeneic fibroblasts could be an effective therapeutic approach for treating small non-healing wounds in junctional epidermolysis bullosa.