Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Uterine Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Clearance of Senescent Cells: A Novel Mechanism in Endometrial Decidualization and Implications for Endometriosis-Associated Infertility

Award Number: F32HD121269
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/01/2027
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/29/2028

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Uterine Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Clearance of Senescent Cells: A Novel Mechanism in Endometrial Decidualization and Implications for Endometriosis-Associated Infertility - Project Summary Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of reproductive-age women and is a major contributor to infertility, pregnancy loss, and chronic pelvic pain worldwide. This project aims to elucidate the role of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in regulating endometrial clearance of senescent cells and immune balance, a process disrupted in endometriosis-associated reproductive failure5. Therefore, it is essential to establish physiologically relevant models to study the influence of the immune microenvironment on fertility and regeneration. Specific Aim 1 will develop and characterize a novel 3D endometrial immune microsystem incorporating menstrual effluent patient-derived uNK, stromal, and epithelial cells to investigate how chronic inflammation alters uNK function and senescent cell crosstalk ex vivo. Specific Aim 2 will use a genetically engineered Nkp46-GFP reporter mouse to spatiotemporally map uNK subset dynamics and their interactions with senescent cells during continuous decidual remodeling throughout early pregnancy. This integrative approach combining advanced imaging, flow cytometry, and transcriptomics will provide unprecedented insight into immune regulation of endometrial health and disease. Findings have the potential to reveal novel therapeutic targets to improve fertility outcomes and reduce pregnancy complications in women with endometriosis.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $79,780 )
2026	2026	BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	1 BAYLOR PLZ	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	1	9/2/2026	NEW	$79,780
														Subtotal = $79,780

Grand Total All Awards = $79,780

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Uterine Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Clearance of Senescent Cells: A Novel Mechanism in Endometrial Decidualization and Implications for Endometriosis-Associated Infertility

Award Number: F32HD121269

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/01/2027

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/29/2028

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer