Maternal diabetes affects heart development in offspring
Official title: Hyperglycemia of Maternal Diabetes Induces Cardiac Isl1 Positive Progenitor Dysfunction Leading to Heart Defects
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10687863 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how high blood sugar in pregnant women with diabetes might cause heart problems in their babies, focusing on important cells that help the heart develop, and aims to find ways to keep those babies healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 28, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $615,074 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL153141-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10687863 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes or gestational diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have diabetes or are not pregnant may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how high blood sugar levels in pregnant women with diabetes can lead to heart defects in their babies. It focuses on specific heart progenitor cells, known as Isl1+ SHF progenitors, which are crucial for heart development. The study aims to understand the biological effects of maternal diabetes on these progenitor cells during pregnancy and after birth, exploring how stress and changes in DNA and RNA methylation may contribute to heart defects. By identifying these mechanisms, the research seeks to find ways to improve the health of affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing congenital heart defects in children born to mothers with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the biological mechanisms of congenital heart defects can lead to significant advancements in prevention and treatment strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Peixin — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Yang, Peixin
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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.