Investigating a factor in lung development and its role in a common neonatal lung disease
Official title: Role of alveolar epithelial cell-derived cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2) in alveologenesis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Funded at Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware · NIH-10903832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called CCN2 helps newborns' lungs grow and heal, with the goal of finding new ways to treat bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wilmington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $162,000 |
| NIH project number | 5K08HL151760-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are premature infants who are at risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not premature or do not have lung development issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how a specific protein, Cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2), influences the development of lung structures in newborns. The principal investigator, Dr. Deepthi Alapati, will utilize advanced genetic mouse models and 3D cell culture systems to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in lung repair and regeneration. By applying gene editing technologies, the research aims to identify potential therapeutic targets for treating bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a serious condition affecting premature infants. The findings could lead to innovative treatments that improve lung health in neonates.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly improve lung function and outcomes for infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using genetic and molecular approaches to address lung diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
Wilmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alapati, Deepthi — Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
- Study coordinator: Alapati, Deepthi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Role of uneven lung growth in chronic lung disease from birth to adulthood
This grant explores how mismatched growth of airways, airspaces, and blood vessels during early life might lead to lasting lung problems in bronchopulmonary dysplasia and how that affects people over time.
-
Regulatory T Cells and Lung Disease-Related High Blood Pressure in Adults
This project studies how a type of immune cell called regulatory T cells may influence inflammation and blood vessel changes in lung disease, with potential relevance to adults who have vascular issues in their lungs.
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Understanding how breathing effort in premature babies with lung disease comes from different lung problems
A research project aims to create a patient-specific tool to measure how different features of bronchopulmonary dysplasia contribute to the struggle to breathe in premature infants.
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Role of LKB1 in reduced lung blood vessel growth in BPD
Aims to understand how a cellular regulator (LKB1) affects blood vessel formation in the lungs of preterm infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
-
A new approach to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants
A new treatment strategy aimed at improving lung development in premature babies at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
-
L-Citrulline for BPD-related Pulmonary Hypertension in Preterm Babies
A first-in-human study will test safe and effective doses of L-citrulline given by mouth to stability-preterm infants at risk for lung blood pressure problems.
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.