Leptin and preeclampsia: how fat signals affect mom and baby
Official title: Regulation and role of leptin in preeclampsia
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-11323535 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies whether high leptin levels help drive high blood pressure and baby growth problems in preeclampsia, using a mouse model and human data.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $520,113 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169576-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11323535 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people at risk for or affected by preeclampsia and researchers using placental/vascular samples.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy pregnancies without preeclampsia are less likely to benefit directly from these findings.
What this research studies
Preeclampsia is a dangerous pregnancy complication linked to high blood pressure and poor outcomes for mother and baby. The research builds on a mouse model where leptin triggers preeclampsia-like symptoms, and it will explore how leptin interacts with anti-angiogenic signals like sFlt-1 to cause vascular and fetal issues. By examining what triggers leptin elevation and how it worsens maternal and fetal health, the study aims to reveal potential targets for prevention or treatment. The work combines animal experiments with human data to understand the role of leptin in placental and cardiovascular changes seen in preeclampsia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new ways to predict, prevent, or treat preeclampsia by targeting leptin signaling.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical models have shown leptin involvement in endothelial dysfunction, with potential translational relevance to PE.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Faulkner, Jessica L. — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Faulkner, Jessica L.
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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.