How immune signals shape lung growth in Down syndrome
Type I IFN signaling during lung development in Down Syndrome
This project looks at whether type I interferon immune signals change lung development before birth in babies with Down syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Torrance, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124096 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare fetal and early-life lung tissue from babies with and without Down syndrome, using 3D imaging and molecular tests to measure interferon-responsive genes and tissue structure. They will examine airway branching, blood vessels, lymphatics, and the extracellular matrix to see how altered interferon signaling might change cell growth, death, and tissue formation. Lab-based models will be used to test whether changing type I interferon activity can reproduce or reverse these lung changes, aiming to pinpoint mechanisms that begin prenatally.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be families willing to donate prenatal or postnatal lung tissue samples, or people with Down syndrome interested in future clinical studies at the Torrance, CA site.
Not a fit: People without Down syndrome or those seeking immediate treatments are unlikely to benefit directly because this is early-stage mechanistic research focused on development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or treat lung and airway problems in people with Down syndrome by targeting interferon-related pathways.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown increased interferon signaling in Down syndrome, but applying this specifically to prenatal lung development is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Torrance, United States
- Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center — Torrance, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Danopoulos, Soula Athanasia — Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Danopoulos, Soula Athanasia
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.