Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded Washington University a Project Grant totaling $165,972.00 under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031. This five-year research career development grant supports a comprehensive investigation into hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by recurrent soft tissue swelling. The research employs high-throughput genetic and phenotypic screening approaches to characterize SERPING1 gene variants and their effects on C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH) protein function.

The funded research deliverables encompass three primary aims: (1) paired whole exome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing to identify novel HAE-associated variants and assess glycosylation impacts, supplemented by high-throughput genetic screening to contextualize mutations; (2) utilization of blood outgrowth endothelial cell lines from HAE patient families to investigate endothelial cell activation mechanisms and disease severity correlation; and (3) integrated multiomics analysis combining genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and glycomic data to identify novel disease regulators and variant pathogenic mechanisms. The ultimate objective is to elucidate the molecular basis for clinical variability in HAE presentation beyond C1INH level or mutation type, thereby advancing understanding of disease mechanisms and supporting therapeutic development for this rare disorder.