Extracellular vesicles to boost fetal lung vessels in babies with diaphragmatic hernia
Official title: Extracellular vesicles as a novel rescue therapy for fetal lung vasculature in congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11345211 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to use tiny particles from stem cells to help growing lungs in babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia before birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 20, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $545,304 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL185766-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11345211 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Fetuses diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and their families, where prenatal vesicle therapy could be considered in future steps.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnancies without CDH or where fetal therapy is not clinically appropriate.
What this research studies
This project explores a prenatal therapy using extracellular vesicles to promote healthy lung vessel development in fetuses affected by diaphragmatic hernia. Researchers will study how these vesicles deliver key miRNAs and other signals to reverse abnormal lung blood vessel remodeling. The work builds on animal and fetal models to uncover the best timing and which babies are most likely to benefit. If successful, this approach could reduce the risk of death and long-term lung problems after birth. The study will focus on understanding mechanisms to guide future clinical use in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy could improve lung development and survival for babies with CDH before birth.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data show that extracellular vesicles can improve lung development in CDH models, suggesting potential but still early-stage findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zani, Augusto — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Zani, Augusto
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Inhaled Nitric Oxide for Babies with CDH
A multi-center study tests whether stopping routine use of inhaled nitric oxide in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia is safe and effective so care can be simpler and potentially better.
-
Fetal tracheal aspirates to guide CDH therapies and timing for lung growth
A researcher is studying fetal tracheal samples from babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia to figure out which treatments and timing could help their lungs grow better.
-
Integrating growth models and preclinical data to improve CDH patch repair
A study to help babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia by improving how surgical patches interact with growing tissues.
-
Inhaled Nitric Oxide for CDH: A pragmatic, multi-center trial to guide care for newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
This trial tests whether stopping routine inhaled nitric oxide use after birth helps seriously ill newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
-
Finding genes that cause congenital diaphragmatic hernia
This project uses fast CRISPR gene-editing in mice to find which genetic changes are responsible for congenital diaphragmatic hernia in babies.
-
Understanding lung development in babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
This work aims to uncover why the lungs of babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia do not develop properly.
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.