How Zika infection before birth can cause early skull bone fusion in babies
Molecular mechanism of Zika virus-induced premature craniofacial suture closure
This project explains how Zika virus during pregnancy can cause early fusion of a baby's skull sutures and related developmental problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249229 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your baby was exposed to Zika before birth, researchers will use data from affected children and laboratory models to understand why the skull bones fuse too early. The team will analyze tissue and molecular signals in the cranial suture area, compare findings from a Brazilian cohort of Zika-exposed infants, and use a mouse model that mimics human infection to trace how the virus triggers bone overgrowth. Their work combines clinical observations with laboratory experiments to link the virus to the biological steps that close sutures prematurely. The goal is to find targets that might prevent or treat Zika-related craniofacial problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be pregnant people with confirmed or suspected Zika infection and infants/children who were prenatally exposed to Zika or who show early cranial suture fusion.
Not a fit: People without prenatal Zika exposure or those whose craniosynostosis is known to be purely genetic would be unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or treat early skull fusion in babies exposed to Zika and reduce associated neurodevelopmental issues.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has linked Zika to microcephaly and preliminary cohort data suggest a high rate of craniosynostosis after Zika, but targeted studies of Zika-induced suture fusion are largely new.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Weiqiang — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Chen, Weiqiang
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.