How cell signals control heart development
Mechanisms for cell signaling in the control of cardiomyogenesis
This research looks at how extra interferon signaling in Down syndrome affects a key Wnt pathway during heart formation, aiming to help children with Down syndrome who face high risk of congenital heart defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178910 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use cells made from people with Down syndrome (human iPS cells) and a mouse model that mimics trisomy 21 to study why heart development goes wrong. They focus on how increased interferon receptor genes on chromosome 21 reduce Wnt/β-catenin signaling and impair formation of heart cells. The team will test whether lowering interferon signaling restores Wnt activity and improves cardiomyogenesis and will identify which cell types are most affected. Findings are intended to point to targets that could eventually prevent or lessen congenital heart defects in children with Down syndrome.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with Down syndrome (or their guardians) willing to donate a blood or skin sample so researchers can make patient-derived iPS cells for study.
Not a fit: Individuals without Down syndrome or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or reduce congenital heart defects in children with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have performed: Prior preclinical work by the team using patient iPS cells and a DS mouse model showed that reducing interferon signaling can restore Wnt pathway activity and improve heart cell development, so this builds on promising laboratory findings.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Song, Kunhua — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Song, Kunhua
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 below.