Proteolytic PR-B cleavage: a new idea on how progesterone withdrawal starts labor
Official title: Proteolytic cleavage of PR-B: A novel mechanism for functional progesterone withdrawal in human parturition
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11438541 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in pregnant people looks at how a hormone signal may change inside uterine cells to trigger labor, aiming to understand how to prevent preterm birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $431,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD122975-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11438541 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be pregnant individuals at high risk for preterm labor or researchers who can provide relevant human uterine tissue or cells.
✕Less likely to help
People not at risk for preterm labor or those not contributing tissues/cells may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project examines how the progesterone hormone keeps the uterus relaxed during pregnancy and how a specific change in its receptor might flip the switch to labor. It focuses on a potential proteolytic cut in the PR-B receptor, which could create a PR-A–like product and promote labor signals. The research uses human uterine cell models to explore this mechanism and its role in spontaneous preterm labor. If successful, the findings could guide new approaches to prevent preterm birth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this mechanism could lead to new ways to prevent preterm birth and improve neonatal outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked PR isoforms to labor signals; this project tests a novel cleavage mechanism in human cells.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mesiano, Sam Antonio — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Mesiano, Sam Antonio
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.