How a mother's hepatitis B infection affects her child's immunity
Maternal effect on offspring immunity against hepatitis B virus
This study looks at how a mother's hepatitis B infection can affect her child's immune system, using mice to see how the virus might make it harder for kids to fight off infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10652291 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of maternal hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on the immune response of offspring. It utilizes a mouse model to explore how HBV can suppress the immune system in children born to infected mothers, leading to chronic infection. By injecting HBV genomic DNA into non-transgenic mouse pups, researchers can observe the differences in HBV persistence compared to control mice. This approach aims to uncover the mechanisms behind vertical transmission of HBV and its implications for child health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children born to mothers who are chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus.
Not a fit: Patients who are not born to mothers with hepatitis B or who have not been exposed to the virus may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing chronic hepatitis B infections in children.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in understanding maternal effects on offspring immunity, but this specific approach using a mouse model for HBV is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ou, J.-H. James — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Ou, J.-H. James
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.