A new approach to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants
Official title: A novel therapeutic strategy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11361527 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new treatment strategy aimed at improving lung development in premature babies at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $418,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD122283-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361527 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are preterm infants at high risk for BPD or those who have received high oxygen exposure and ventilation.
✕Less likely to help
Infants without premature birth or without risk of BPD may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a common and serious problem for babies born early, often linked to oxygen therapy and ventilation. This grant explores a novel way to boost the lung’s energy and growth signals by activating LKB1-AMPK pathways, which may protect lung tissue during oxygen exposure. The research is based on preclinical data in neonatal animals and autopsy samples from affected infants, with plans to test metformin’s effect on lung development under hyperoxic conditions. If successful, this approach could reduce lung injury and improve long-term outcomes for preterm babies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the strategy works, it could reduce lung injury and improve breathing and development for premature infants.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggest mitochondrial and metabolic pathways play a role in BPD, with early data supporting the AMPK pathway as a potential target.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Konduri, Girija G. — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Konduri, Girija G.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Role of uneven lung growth in chronic lung disease from birth to adulthood
This grant explores how mismatched growth of airways, airspaces, and blood vessels during early life might lead to lasting lung problems in bronchopulmonary dysplasia and how that affects people over time.
-
Regulatory T Cells and Lung Disease-Related High Blood Pressure in Adults
This project studies how a type of immune cell called regulatory T cells may influence inflammation and blood vessel changes in lung disease, with potential relevance to adults who have vascular issues in their lungs.
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Understanding how breathing effort in premature babies with lung disease comes from different lung problems
A research project aims to create a patient-specific tool to measure how different features of bronchopulmonary dysplasia contribute to the struggle to breathe in premature infants.
-
Role of LKB1 in reduced lung blood vessel growth in BPD
Aims to understand how a cellular regulator (LKB1) affects blood vessel formation in the lungs of preterm infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
-
L-Citrulline for BPD-related Pulmonary Hypertension in Preterm Babies
A first-in-human study will test safe and effective doses of L-citrulline given by mouth to stability-preterm infants at risk for lung blood pressure problems.
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Metabolic clues to BPD-related pulmonary hypertension in babies and teens and adults
This grant aims to understand why a serious lung condition in preterm babies can lead to high blood pressure in the lungs, with the goal of finding new treatments.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.