Why tiny blood vessels leak in very sick children
Official title: Molecular regulation of the capillary barrier in acute critical illness
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11166541 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how and why the tiny blood vessels in critically ill children leak and seeks ways to stop that leaking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $589,746 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL170164-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11166541 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The most relevant patients would be children in intensive care with new or worsening organ dysfunction linked to capillary leak.
✕Less likely to help
Children without acute critical illness, adults, or patients whose organ problems come from non-leak causes are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
As a parent or patient, you should know the team is studying the cells that line tiny blood vessels (endothelial cells) to see how inflammatory signals cause gaps between or through those cells. They will use human endothelial cells in the lab and expose them to the same inflammatory molecules found in very sick children to measure changes in cell junctions and transport. The researchers will compare leak that occurs between cells (paracellular) versus through cells (transcellular) to identify common signaling pathways. Findings are intended to highlight druggable targets that could later be tested to reduce organ failure from capillary leak.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that prevent or reduce organ failure by stopping harmful blood vessel leaks in critically ill children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials targeting single inflammatory cytokines have not improved outcomes, but laboratory studies support targeting shared endothelial signaling pathways as a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pierce, Richard W — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Pierce, Richard W
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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.