Let-7b and fragile newborn lungs (bronchopulmonary dysplasia)
Let-7b in BPD
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · NIH-11323495
This project looks at a tiny blood molecule called let-7b to help doctors spot and potentially treat severe lung problems in extremely premature babies.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11323495 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If a baby is born extremely early, doctors will measure let-7b levels in blood and, when available, breathing-tube fluid to see how those levels change as the lung disease develops. Lab work will examine airway cells exposed to oxygen stress to show whether they release let-7b and how that affects blood-vessel growth in the lung. In newborn mouse models, researchers will test whether blocking let-7b improves lung blood-vessel formation and lung development. The team will combine these human measurements and preclinical experiments to link let-7b levels with disease course and response to interventions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are extremely preterm, extremely low birth weight infants (born very early) whose care involves blood sampling and, when present, tracheal aspirate collection in the first days of life.
Not a fit: Older children, adults, or babies who are not extremely preterm or who do not have risk factors for BPD are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help predict which extremely preterm infants will develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia and point to treatments that improve lung blood-vessel growth and breathing outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work and biomarker studies have suggested microRNAs like let-7b are involved in BPD and mouse experiments showed let-7b inhibition can improve lung development, but clinical testing for infants is novel.
Where this research is happening
BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM — BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: AMBALAVANAN, NAMASIVAYAM — UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- Study coordinator: AMBALAVANAN, NAMASIVAYAM
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.