Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa (H-JEB), an incurable and fatal inherited skin disease, is caused by loss-of-function mutations in LAMA3, LAMB3 and LAMC2. These mutations result in diminished laminin 332 and epidermal-dermal adherence. 85% of JEB patients have nonsense mutations in LAMA3, LAMB3, or LAMC2, suggesting that H-JEB is a prime therapeutic target for nonsense suppression therapy. The investigators recently demonstrated in three patients that topical gentamicin created new and stable laminin 332 at the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ), and also improved wound closure and skin quality. Furthermore, these preliminary studies showed that intravenous gentamicin also induced laminin 332 and transiently improved patients' clinical outcomes. No untoward side effects occurred. The investigators propose to optimize the intravenous gentamicin regimen including dosage and infusion schedules to enhance the therapeutic outcome. The milestones will be an increase of laminin 332 in the patients' DEJ, improvement in EB Disease Activity Scores, and no gentamicin-associated side effects.
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Laminin 332 Expression in Skin
Timeframe: 3 months
Safety (Ototoxicity)
Timeframe: 3 months
Safety (Nephrotoxicity)
Timeframe: 3 months
Safety (Autoimmune Response)
Timeframe: 3 months