How a mother’s infection during pregnancy shapes baby’s immune cells
Official title: Does the maternal environment during viral infection and inflammation direct fetal T cell development and function?
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11391288 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mother’s infection or inflammation during pregnancy may change how a baby’s immune system develops, especially a special type of immune cell called γδ T cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $385,092 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111148-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391288 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include pregnant individuals at risk for infection or inflammation during pregnancy and their children, along with adult participants with Armstrong Syndrome for related analyses.
✕Less likely to help
People without exposure to maternal infection/inflammation or without Armstrong Syndrome may have indirect relevance or no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This study looks at how maternal inflammation during pregnancy could program the baby’s immune system, focusing on fetal γδ T cells that help fight infections and may influence autoimmune risk. Researchers will use human and animal samples to understand thymic development and how these fetal cells persist into adulthood. The goal is to uncover mechanisms by which maternal immune activation could alter immune function in the child and later life. Findings could inform strategies to protect fetal immune development during infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to approaches that reduce adverse immune outcomes in children born after maternal infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows fetal immune programming by maternal inflammation, but this project will specifically map γδ T cell development during this window.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bonney, Elizabeth a. — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Bonney, Elizabeth a.
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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.