Federal Grant Award Summary

Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago received a $786,725 project grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847), awarded February 15, 2026, with completion targeted for January 31, 2030. The research investigates the role of FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 (FLT-1) in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) development, a serious gastrointestinal disease affecting premature infants that currently lacks specific preventive or therapeutic treatments. The project delivers basic and translational research outputs examining how monocyte-derived macrophages expressing FLT-1 impair intestinal microvascular development by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 signaling, ultimately leading to inadequate gut blood vessel formation that renders neonatal intestines susceptible to NEC during metabolic stress.

The research aims to establish FLT-1 as a critical therapeutic target by generating evidence supporting the hypothesis that blocking FLT-1 signaling can preserve gut microvascular networks and reduce NEC incidence in at-risk populations. Deliverables include preclinical research data, mechanistic findings on endothelial cell proliferation pathways, and translational evidence that may inform development of FLT-1-targeted interventions to prevent or mitigate NEC in vulnerable premature infants, addressing a significant pediatric health challenge with substantial morbidity and mortality implications.