How breast milk antibodies may steer baby gut bacteria and prevent NEC
Official title: Mechanisms of maternal Immunoglobulin A control over the neonatal microbiota and the development of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11384391 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how a specific antibody in breast milk (IgA) helps shape a baby’s gut bacteria to prevent a serious intestinal disease called NEC in preterm and term infants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $687,461 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK120697-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384391 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants, including those born preterm, in which NEC risk is a concern and whose mothers milk contains IgA.
✕Less likely to help
Infants without exposure to breast milk IgA or without risk of NEC may not benefit.
What this research studies
The project focuses on how maternal IgA in breast milk binds to gut bacteria and influences the neonatal microbiome, especially in preterm babies at risk for NEC. Researchers will examine the interactions between IgA, Enterobacteriaceae, and beneficial Bifidobacteria to understand what drives a healthy microbial balance. By using biological samples from infants and lab models, they aim to map how IgA affects bacterial communities and the newborn’s immune response. The ultimate goal is to identify clues that could lead to interventions that reduce NEC risk and improve long-term gut health for vulnerable infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform strategies to prevent NEC by guiding maternal breastfeeding practices or developing IgA-based therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings show IgA binding to bacteria is linked to NEC risk and that IgA diversity affects microbiome composition, making this a promising but exploratory step.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hand, Timothy Wesley — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Hand, Timothy Wesley
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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.