# 5-Lipoxygenase exerts dual and opposing functions during the wound healing process

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2023 · $368,950

## Abstract

Despite significant advances in care, impaired healing after burn injury still remains a major concern. Impaired
healing is associated with increased risk for infections and prolonged and costly hospitalization periods. Thus,
delineation of specific mechanisms that govern wound healing is a dire objective in burn injury research.
Here, we propose that activation of the 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway at the affected site is a previously
unappreciated mechanism that orchestraes burn wound healing. 5-LO mediates the synthesis of leukotrienes
(LTs), a team of lipid mediators that derive from arachidonic acid. LTs consist of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and the
cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs), and are all known for their proinflammatory functions. However, regulated LT
activity may play roles in normal tissue function and repair.
Our preliminary data show that the 5-LO pathway is active at the burn wound site. Interestingly our data suggest
that LTB4 and cysLTs exert opposing functions in burn wound healing. This study is designed to dissect the
mechanisms by which 5-LO activity orchestrates healing after burn injury. Furthermore, we will examine the
hypothesis that heightened 5-LO/LTB4 activity at the wound site early after injury is associated with impaired
healing in burn patients.
Successful completion of this proposal will have implications on the development of new therapeutic strategies
for patients with non-healing burn injuries.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10667543
- **Project number:** 5R01GM135279-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Athena Soulika
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $368,950
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-20 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10667543

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10667543, 5-Lipoxygenase exerts dual and opposing functions during the wound healing process (5R01GM135279-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10667543. Licensed CC0.

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