Understanding how certain proteins affect blood vessel growth in children
Elucidating the cellular and molecular basis of LYST-mediated TEVG stenosis
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 ID | NIH-10995931 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants and children who require congenital heart surgery and may benefit from advanced vascular grafts.
Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or do not require vascular grafts for heart surgery may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Columbus, United States
- 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
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.