How fetal blood cells develop and what it means for immune health
Official title: The developmental pathway of fetal-derived B cells
Funded at Western Michigan Univ School of Medicine · NIH-11352523 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from Western Michigan University investigates how a special type of immune cells called B cells develop before birth and how they continue to function later in life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Western Michigan Univ School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kalamazoo, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $602,484 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI165798-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11352523 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with autoimmune conditions or B-cell related disorders, or healthy adults providing samples for comparative analyses.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without autoimmune or B-cell related conditions may participate but may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores whether some B cells can arise from embryonic endothelial cells rather than from traditional stem cells, and how these cells persist as we age. Researchers will examine the developmental pathways of B-2 cells and compare their behavior to B cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells. By using models and analyses focused on human biology, the work aims to clarify how these fetal-origin B cells contribute to infections, autoimmunity, and immune health. The findings could reshape our understanding of immune development and potentially influence future therapies for immune-related diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better knowledge of how B cells develop could lead to new approaches for preventing or treating autoimmune diseases and improving immune responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that some fetal-origin B cells persist into adulthood, but the exact pathways and implications remain largely unexplored.
Where this research is happening
-
Western Michigan Univ School of Medicine
Kalamazoo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yoshimoto, Momoko — Western Michigan Univ School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Yoshimoto, Momoko
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.