Prenatal pollution exposure and newborn lung injury risk
Proj3:Role of cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A/1B1 enzymes in the potentiation of neonatal lung injury in newborn mice exposed prenatally to PHs,and increased risk of premature infants to chronic lung disease
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · NIH-11388581
This research looks at whether chemicals from polluted sites during pregnancy make preterm newborns more likely to develop serious lung disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HOUSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11388581 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are exploring whether pregnant people exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) — pollution chemicals found near Superfund sites — are more likely to have babies who develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). They will use human lung cells, examine clinical data from premature infants, and run experiments in mice exposed before birth to PAHs followed by extra oxygen to mimic NICU care. The team will compare normal mice with mice missing genes that help process PAHs (AHR, CYP1A1/1B1 and related genes) to see how genetics change risk, and they will test whether remediated PAHs are less harmful than the original chemicals. The goal is to connect real-world prenatal exposures to biological mechanisms that could explain higher BPD risk in preterm infants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include pregnant people who lived near contaminated sites during pregnancy or parents of premature infants whose prenatal exposure to PAHs is a concern.
Not a fit: People without prenatal exposure to PAHs or families of infants born full-term are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify pollution-related causes of BPD and suggest ways to prevent or reduce lung injury in babies born early.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked prenatal air pollution to preterm birth and lung problems, but combining genetic mouse models, human lung cells, and tests of remediated chemicals is a novel and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
HOUSTON, UNITED STATES
- BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE — HOUSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MOORTHY, BHAGAVATULA — BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- Study coordinator: MOORTHY, BHAGAVATULA
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.