How a mother's immune protein and placental serotonin may limit a baby's infection-fighting blood cells before birth
Determining themechanism of maternal IL-10 restriction of fetal emergency myelopoiesis to improve neonataloutcomes
Researchers are looking at whether the mother's immune protein IL-10 and placenta-made serotonin prevent a fetus from making enough neutrophils so newborns can better fight infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171679 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how signals from a mother and placenta change a fetus's ability to rapidly make neutrophils, the white blood cells that fight infection. The team will study placental tissue, fetal blood stem/progenitor cells, and lab models to see how IL-10 and serotonin affect blood cell growth. They will use cell experiments and animal models to mimic maternal inflammation and test whether blocking these signals restores newborn immune cell production. Findings may guide ways to protect babies from infection by changing maternal or placental signals before or after birth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be pregnant people (and their newborns) experiencing maternal inflammation or infection who can provide placental tissue, cord blood, or other samples for study.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, who cannot provide placental or cord blood samples, or whose concerns are unrelated to newborn infection risk are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new ways to help newborns make more infection-fighting blood cells and lower the risk of neonatal sepsis and related complications.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab and animal studies have shown that serotonin and maternal immune signals can affect fetal development, but linking maternal IL-10, placental serotonin, and newborn neutrophil production is a novel direction.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, Amelie — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Collins, Amelie
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.