Understanding how certain proteins affect blood vessel growth in children
Official title: Elucidating the cellular and molecular basis of LYST-mediated TEVG stenosis
Funded at Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp · NIH-10995931 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why blood vessels made for heart surgery in babies and kids sometimes get too narrow, and it’s focusing on a protein called LYST that might affect how blood cells interact with these vessels, with the goal of making these grafts work better for young patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $44,667 |
| NIH project number | 1F31HL176054-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995931 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and children who require congenital heart surgery and may benefit from advanced vascular grafts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or do not require vascular grafts for heart surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind the narrowing of tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) in infants and children undergoing heart surgery. The team is exploring the role of a specific protein, LYST, which is involved in immune cell function and may influence how platelets interact with these grafts. By studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms at play, the researchers aim to identify the signals that lead to graft stenosis, which could improve the design and effectiveness of TEVGs for young patients. The approach includes using animal models to observe the effects of genetic mutations on graft performance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved vascular grafts that grow with children and reduce the risk of complications after heart surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the immune response in vascular grafts can lead to significant improvements in graft performance, indicating a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Turner, Mackenzie — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Turner, Mackenzie
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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.