How early viral infections harm the inner ear's protective barrier
Inner ear infection and innate immunity
Researchers are exploring how congenital CMV and other early viral infections weaken the inner ear's protective barrier in newborns and lead to hearing loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174277 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses animal models of congenital CMV infection to follow how the blood-labyrinth barrier—the cells and vessels that protect the inner ear—forms and when it becomes leaky. Scientists will examine the vessel lining and track how white blood cells enter the inner ear during infection and inflammation. They will identify which cell types are directly targeted by the virus or immune response and link those changes to hearing loss. The goal is to reveal biological steps that could be targeted to protect hearing in infants born with CMV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Families of infants born with congenital CMV infection or people with CMV-related hearing loss would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People whose hearing loss is from other causes (for example genetic deafness or noise exposure) may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or treat CMV-related hearing loss by protecting the inner ear's barrier.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research links congenital CMV to hearing loss, but focusing on the blood-labyrinth barrier and its cellular targets is a newer approach with limited prior direct results.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hirose, Keiko — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Hirose, Keiko
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.