Federal Grant Award Summary

Boston Children's Hospital received a $686,610 Project Grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837), awarded July 15, 2026, with a completion date of March 31, 2030. The award funds research to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which the transcription factor MECOM (MDS1/EVI1 Complex Locus) drives endothelial inflammation and atherosclerosis progression. The research builds on genome-wide association studies identifying MECOM variants associated with coronary artery disease risk and preliminary in vivo evidence demonstrating that endothelial-specific MECOM knockout reduces atherosclerotic lesion development.

The funded research will produce scientific knowledge through three primary objectives: investigating how endothelial MECOM promotes inflammation by enhancing macrophage infiltration and polarization; elucidating MECOM-dependent chromatin remodeling mechanisms in endothelial inflammatory activation; and evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of targeting MECOM in established atherosclerosis models. Successful completion is expected to advance understanding of endothelial inflammation mechanisms in atherosclerosis and identify MECOM as a potential therapeutic target for coronary artery disease treatment, ultimately contributing to the NHLBI's mission to promote prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases through competitive, hypothesis-driven research.