How lack of vitamin A during pregnancy affects airway health in adults

IMPACT OF PRENATAL VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY ON CELL FATE ALTERATIONS IN ADULT AIRWAY HYPERRESPONSIVENESS

NIH-funded research Texas A&m Agrilife Research · NIH-10590588

This study is looking at how not getting enough vitamin A during pregnancy might change the way our bodies respond to breathing issues later in life, especially for people with asthma, and it aims to help us understand how early nutrition can affect our health as adults.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTexas A&m Agrilife Research NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (College Station, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10590588 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how prenatal vitamin A deficiency may lead to changes in cell types that affect airway responsiveness in adulthood. The team will explore the mechanisms linking early nutritional deficiencies to later health outcomes, particularly focusing on asthma and airway resistance. By using a mouse model, they will examine how these early life conditions alter gene expression and cell fate, potentially leading to increased susceptibility to respiratory diseases. The study aims to provide insights into the developmental origins of health and disease, which could inform future prevention strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults who may have experienced prenatal vitamin A deficiency and are currently dealing with asthma or airway hyperresponsiveness.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced prenatal vitamin A deficiency or do not have respiratory issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing asthma and improving respiratory health in individuals who experienced prenatal vitamin A deficiency.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific cell fate model is relatively novel, there is existing research that supports the idea that early life nutritional factors can influence adult health outcomes.

Where this research is happening

College Station, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.