Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) awarded a $778,504 Project Grant to The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco, effective July 1, 2026, through February 28, 2030, under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837). This award funds hypothesis-driven basic research investigating the molecular mechanisms controlling lung capillary cell specification, plasticity, and function during early postnatal lung development. The research focuses on understanding two distinct capillary endothelial cell subtypes (CAP1 and CAP2) and an intermediate capillary endothelial cell state (CAPINT), their roles in alveolar formation, their responses to hyperoxia-induced injury, and their regenerative capacity. The work employs genetic lineage tracing, chromatin accessibility analysis, and examination of transcription factor pathways (including AP-1 signaling) to elucidate how endothelial cell signals inform the alveolar niche during critical developmental windows.

The deliverables from this research include mechanistic insights into capillary endothelial cell biology that will advance understanding of normal lung development and inform strategies for treating lung injury, particularly in conditions like bronchopulmonary dysplasia induced by hyperoxia exposure in neonates. As a research grant within NHLBI's portfolio, this award supports the generation of peer-reviewed publications, research data, and foundational knowledge contributing to the prevention and treatment of lung diseases.