How the FOXF1 gene shapes developing lung air sacs and tiny blood vessels
Elucidating the FOXF1 gene regulatory network in human alveologenesis
This project looks at how changes in the FOXF1 gene change the way lung air sacs and tiny blood vessels form, especially in babies with ACD/MPV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11018499 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or your child has alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACD/MPV), this work aims to explain why the lungs form incorrectly by focusing on the FOXF1 gene. Researchers will analyze human lung tissue and single-cell genetic data, including RNA-seq and ATAC-seq, and use lab-grown 3-D lung models to map the networks of genes controlled by FOXF1. They will compare those human findings to existing mouse models and control human samples to identify which cell types—such as capillary endothelial cells and type 1 epithelial cells—are lost or altered. The study traces how FOXF1-driven changes in gene programs could lead to the severe breathing problems seen in ACD/MPV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people or families affected by ACD/MPV who can consent to donate lung tissue, genetic data, or medical records for research.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated lung conditions or those seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to receive direct medical benefit from this basic research project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal molecular targets and markers that help diagnose ACD/MPV earlier or guide development of future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous mouse studies and early human tissue analyses have shown FOXF1's importance for lung blood vessel development, but mapping its full gene regulatory network in human alveologenesis is largely new.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gu, Mingxia — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Gu, Mingxia
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.