How a mother's immune system protects the placenta from congenital CMV
Immune defense of cCMV at the maternal-fetal interface
This project explores how immune cells at the placenta might stop cytomegalovirus from infecting a developing baby.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169063 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a rhesus macaque model to mimic human congenital CMV and study immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface. They analyze placental tissues with methods like PCR, RNAScope, multiplex immunohistochemistry, spatial transcriptomics, and single-cell RNA sequencing to map which cells respond to infection. The team also tests single-cycle CMV vaccine candidates that aim to generate protective immune responses at the placenta without causing harmful inflammation. Findings are intended to identify immune signatures that could guide safer, more effective maternal vaccines.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People planning pregnancy or pregnant in early trimesters who are concerned about CMV would be the likely candidates for future vaccine trials informed by this research.
Not a fit: This preclinical, animal-based research will not directly help newborns already infected with congenital CMV today.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide development of maternal vaccines that prevent congenital CMV and reduce newborn hearing loss and neurological problems.
How similar studies have performed: Prior CMV vaccine approaches have shown promise in animal models and early human studies but no licensed maternal CMV vaccine yet exists, so this approach builds on but does not yet replicate proven success.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaur, Amitinder — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Kaur, Amitinder
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.