This Project Grant award from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865), provides $760,950 to support research focused on employing biologics to probe G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in maternal and fetal health. The key objectives are to: 1) characterize the mechanisms antibody fragments use to suppress angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) signaling and demonstrate their ability to selectively target maternal AT1R to safely treat hypertension during pregnancy; 2) develop antibody selection strategies to mechanistically probe how synthetic antibody fragments stabilize distinct states of AT1R and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) to regulate the recruitment of signaling effectors and direct biological responses; and 3) investigate the mechanisms by which pathogenic autoantibodies dysregulate AT1R signaling in preeclampsia. This multidisciplinary research, combining receptor pharmacology, structural biology, and antibody engineering, aims to provide insights into GPCR signaling, the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, and new therapeutic approaches for pregnancy-related complications.
Mod # | Description | Reason For Modification | Federal Obligation (Click to sort descending) | Date (Click to sort ascending) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | $761.0k | 7/16/25 |