Mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism in babies with CHD-related lung blood vessel disease
Official title: Mitochondrial network remodeling and the glutamine-proline axis in pulmonary vascular disease associated with CHD.
Funded at Florida International University · NIH-11401979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in infants and children with congenital heart defects looks at how cell power plants (mitochondria) change and drive blood vessel problems in the lungs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida International University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $371,203 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL146369-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants and children with congenital heart defects and suspected or diagnosed pulmonary vascular disease.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy children or CHD patients without PVD may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project investigates how changes in mitochondrial fission and fusion in lung blood vessel cells contribute to endothelial dysfunction in CHD-related pulmonary vascular disease. It examines the role of proteins like Drp1 and MFN2 and how their balance shifts cell metabolism toward glycolysis and glutamine-proline pathways, promoting cell growth and survival. The research aims to uncover how the JNK-Huwe1 axis affects MFN2 degradation and mitochondrial dynamics, which may influence endothelial behavior and vascular stiffness. The plan includes mechanistic studies using patient-derived samples and model systems to connect mitochondrial changes with endothelial dysfunction. By clarifying these pathways, the study seeks to identify potential targets to improve vascular function in affected infants and children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could reveal new targets to prevent or treat CHD-related pulmonary vascular disease in young patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked altered mitochondrial dynamics to vascular problems, but this project advances understanding in CHD-associated pediatric PVD.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida International University
Miami, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Ting — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Ting
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.