Role of ACE2 in Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Offspring Lung Health
Official title: Role of ACE2 in Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection Predisposed Susceptibility to Inflammatory Lung Disease in Offspring
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11273633 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Johns Hopkins will look at how a mother’s COVID-19 infection might affect a child’s lung health later on, using a humanized ACE2 mouse model to explore inflammatory risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $758,703 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL183181-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11273633 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to individual patient enrollment in this grant (animal model and human data analyses primarily).
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient participation may be limited or not applicable; the study emphasizes preclinical mechanisms and animal models.
What this research studies
This project uses a humanized ACE2 mouse model to understand whether maternal SARS-CoV-2 exposure predisposes offspring to inflammatory lung disease. It will examine how IL-6 and ACE2 interact during prenatal development and whether these effects can be passed across generations. Researchers will translate findings from mouse models and human data into potential strategies to reduce long-term respiratory risk in children. The study focuses on mechanisms around ACE2, IL-6, and bone marrow signaling in prenatal development to uncover targets for intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to strategies that reduce future respiratory complications in children born to mothers affected by SARS-CoV-2.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest maternal viral exposure can influence offspring inflammatory responses, supporting a translational path for validated mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jia, Hongpeng — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Jia, Hongpeng
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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.