# Molecular and Vascular MRI of Placenta Accreta

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $156,621

## Abstract

An understanding of the transplacental transport of the SARS-CoV-2 virion is of enormous importance.
Objective characterization of virion transport, even in animal models, is a hugely challenging task. Using
transplacental transport as an example, we seek to address this problem: we will design and build a Virion
Surrogate Particle (VSP). Binding of the VSP to target receptors (ACE2), and subsequent internalization will
be validated in cell culture, followed by in vivo testing of transplacental transport. The specific aims for this
supplement are thereore:
 1. Prepare Virus Surrogate Particles (VSP), recapitulating the viral lipid envelope, bearing the Spike
 protein S on the surface and carrying proteolytic Furin in the lumen, and validate binding of VSP to
 the ACE2 receptor in cell culture studies.
 2. Study trans-placental transport of VSP in the k18-hACE2 mouse model with the humanized ACE2
 receptor throughout the course of pregnancy using MR, CT and fluorescence tracing of particles
 3. Study the effect of known ACE2 receptor level effectors (low protein diet, hypertension, high fat diet)
 on transplacental transport of VSP

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10154050
- **Project number:** 3R01HD094347-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Ananth V Annapragada
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $156,621
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10154050

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10154050, Molecular and Vascular MRI of Placenta Accreta (3R01HD094347-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10154050. Licensed CC0.

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