Functional assessment of extracellular vesicles from the female reproductive tract during early pregnancy
NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have revolutionized fertility treatments, yet implantation success rates remain suboptimal. Emerging evidence reveals that maternal tubal fluid, specifically extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoscale membrane-bound carriers rich in bioactive molecules that play a pivotal role in embryo-maternal communication essential for early embryo development and implantation. EVs transport lipids, proteins, and regulatory RNAs, including miRNAs, which influence embryo physiology and developmental competence. Although in vitro studies demonstrate embryo uptake of EVs from reproductive tract cells across species, the physiological relevance of maternal EVs during natural embryo development in vivo remains largely unexplored. Critically, EV populations and cargo profiles differ markedly between in vivo and in vitro conditions, underscoring a pressing need to investigate EVs in their native environment. Our innovative study leverages oviductal epithelial cell-specific CD9-green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter mice to directly visualize and track maternal EVs within preimplantation embryos in vivo. We have discovered CD9-GFP+ EVs localized in the perivitelline space of 4- to 8-cell stage embryos, providing the first direct in vivo evidence of maternal EV-embryo communication during early development. Building on this, our research pursues two complementary aims: (1) to comprehensively map EV distribution and profile miRNA cargo in oviductal and uterine luminal fluid throughout early pregnancy stages, illuminating dynamic changes in EV-mediated signaling; and (2) to elucidate the functional significance of epithelial cell- derived EVs by employing pharmacological inhibitors to disrupt EV biogenesis and release in vivo, assessing consequent effects on embryo development, implantation, and pregnancy outcomes. This study offers a significant advance in reproductive biology by uncovering the in vivo role of maternal EVs in supporting embryo development and implantation. Our innovative use of epithelial-specific CD9-GFP reporter mice to directly visualize EV transfer to embryos provides valuable new insight into natural embryo-maternal communication. By combining cutting-edge molecular profiling with functional inhibition of EV biogenesis in vivo, this research is uniquely positioned to identify key EV cargos that influence embryo viability and pregnancy outcomes. The results will deepen our fundamental understanding of early developmental processes and enable the development of novel, clinically relevant strategies to improve assisted reproductive technologies. Leveraging maternal EVs as biomarkers or therapeutic agents holds strong potential to enhance ART success rates and promote healthy pregnancies, addressing critical challenges in fertility treatment.
Grant Summary
Functional assessment of extracellular vesicles from the female reproductive tract during early pregnancy is a NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development grant providing up to $412K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2028-03-31 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
Focus Areas
Eligibility
How to Apply
Up to $412K
2028-03-31
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Functional assessment of extracellular vesicles from the female reproductive tract during early pregnancy from NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development before the deadline.
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Functional assessment of extracellular vesicles from the female reproductive tract during early pregnancy: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Functional assessment of extracellular vesicles from the female reproductive tract during early pregnancy?
Functional assessment of extracellular vesicles from the female reproductive tract during early pregnancy is offered by NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Functional assessment of extracellular vesicles from the female reproductive tract during early pregnancy provide?
Functional assessment of extracellular vesicles from the female reproductive tract during early pregnancy provides up to $412K per award from NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Functional assessment of extracellular vesicles from the female reproductive tract during early pregnancy deadline?
Applications for Functional assessment of extracellular vesicles from the female reproductive tract during early pregnancy are due 2028-03-31 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Functional assessment of extracellular vesicles from the female reproductive tract during early pregnancy?
To apply for Functional assessment of extracellular vesicles from the female reproductive tract during early pregnancy, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.