How excess iron and low oxygen affect pregnancy in people with beta-thalassemia
Official title: Pathological consequences of iron excess and hypoxia in β-thalassemia pregnancy
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11194518 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking at how excess iron and low oxygen in beta-thalassemia affect mothers, placentas, and babies during pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $657,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK137863-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11194518 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people with beta-thalassemia or those planning pregnancy would be the most relevant population if the work moves toward human studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without beta-thalassemia or those not pregnant would be unlikely to receive direct benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This work uses a mouse model that mimics beta-thalassemia to trace how maternal iron overload and anemia change oxygen and iron balance in the mother, placenta, and fetus. Researchers found iron loading, enlarged placentas, fetal growth restriction, oxidative stress, hypoxia, and DNA changes in fetal brains, even affecting normal fetuses carried by thalassemic mothers. They will expand experiments to identify the molecular pathways behind these changes and to understand how in utero disturbances may affect fetal and postnatal development. The findings aim to point to targets for monitoring or treatments that could reduce risks during thalassemic pregnancies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to better monitoring and treatments to protect mothers and babies during pregnancies affected by beta-thalassemia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies, including work with Th3/+ mice, have shown similar iron, hypoxia, and growth problems, but direct evidence in pregnant people is limited, so translational steps are still needed.
Where this research is happening
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University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, James F. — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Collins, James F.
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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.