How air pollution affects the immune system during pregnancy
Official title: Immune Tolerance Dysfunction in Pregnancy due to Ambient Air Pollution Exposure
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11140009 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how air pollution might affect the immune health of pregnant women and their babies by checking blood samples to see if exposure to dirty air changes how their immune system works.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $120,816 |
| NIH project number | 3R01ES032253-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140009 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women who have been exposed to varying levels of air pollution.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have not been exposed to significant levels of air pollution may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of ambient air pollution on the immune health of pregnant women. It focuses on how chronic exposure to pollutants, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), may lead to immune dysfunction during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. By analyzing previously collected blood samples from pregnant and non-pregnant women exposed to varying levels of pollution, the study aims to identify differences in immune cell function and health outcomes. The findings could provide insights into the risks associated with air pollution for mothers and their children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for pregnant women and their babies by identifying risks associated with air pollution exposure.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been epidemiological studies linking air pollution to adverse pregnancy outcomes, this specific approach to studying immune dysfunction in pregnant women is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nadeau, Kari C. — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Nadeau, Kari C.
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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.