Complicated inflammatory response mapped after burns PhD candidate Patrick Mulder develops animal-free skin model for burns

The healing process of burns is more intricate than normal wound healing. This was shown by Patrick Mulder, a scientist at the Association of Dutch Burn Centres and a PhD candidate at Radboudumc. To put these new insights into practice, he collaborated with colleagues to develop a model for better research on burns. Mulder: ‘Currently, this is the best model in the lab to simulate a burn injury. It is important because now we can conduct even better research without the need for animals to study potential burn treatments.’

After sustaining burns, many burn patients experience a severe inflammatory response, hindering the healing process. To comprehend this reaction thoroughly, Mulder initially compared the 'normal' immune response to an injury with the response in burn patients. ‘We observed a clear difference in the immune response between normal wound healing and healing after burns.’

Skin model

The scientists studied blood and burn wound tissue from patients, investigating whether there was a difference in immune reactions, including monocytes and T cells. Mulder explains that these cells have a significant impact on wound healing. ‘In a normal situation, monocytes are present for a few days. In burns, they persist much longer, often for several weeks. This negatively affects the patient's recovery.’

To apply this newly acquired knowledge in practice, the researchers enhanced an existing model for burns. This model partially replicates the immune response to burns in the laboratory. Mulder: ‘The old model lacked the immune system, a crucial component to make the model suitable for scientific research on burns. When someone suffers a burn, various types of cells are involved in healing. To accurately simulate this body's reaction in the lab, you need to incorporate these cells into the model.’

No animal testing

Therefore, Mulder added several immune cells to the model. ‘By including monocytes and T cells, we can better study the immune cell response. It is still not the complete picture, but we can use the model in scientific research on burns. This is a significant development because, in the past, animals were used for this research, and now this is no longer necessary. We will further improve the model to test medications that can control the inflammatory response after burns.’

The Proefdiervrij Foundation also applauds Patrick Mulder's animal-free burn research as a promising breakthrough. Director Debby Weijers states: ‘The animal-free skin model not only provides new insights into burn treatment but also eliminates the need for animal testing. Patrick Mulder demonstrates that ethical and effective research methods can go hand in hand. That is true innovation. In our view, this research is the crowning achievement of five years of collaboration with the Dutch Burns Foundation.’

More information about this thesis defense

Thesis defense on December 11, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. by Patrick Mulder. Thesis title: Immune response to burn injury: from animal and patient data toward in vitro modeling (available online after Dec. 11). Supervisor: Prof. Dr. I. Joosten, co-supervisors: Dr. H.J.P.M. Koenen and Dr. B.K.H.L. Boekema (Vereniging Samenwerkende Brandwondencentra Nederland). The defense can be followed via this livestream.

PhD candidate Patrick Mulder

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