How fetal immune cells become inflammatory before birth
Mechanisms Regulating Inflammatory Phenotypes in Fetal Macrophages
This work looks at how fetal immune cells called macrophages turn inflammatory before birth and what that means for newborns, especially preterm infants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177892 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, this research uses mouse models to learn how different groups of fetal macrophages develop and why some become more inflammatory around birth. The team compares yolk-sac and liver-derived macrophages, maps their immune signatures across organs, and uses genetically modified (knockout) mice to test the role of the IKKb/NF-kB signaling pathway. They also examine how factors like GM-CSF shape lung macrophages as the baby is born. The goal is to understand mechanisms that might cause or protect newborns, particularly those born early, from inflammatory conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The findings would be most relevant to preterm infants and newborns at risk for inflammatory lung or systemic inflammatory conditions.
Not a fit: Adults without perinatal inflammatory conditions or people whose health issues are unrelated to newborn immune responses are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat inflammatory lung and other organ problems in newborns, especially preterm infants.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have linked NF-kB signaling to inflammatory macrophage behavior, but this project’s focus on timing and tissue-specific changes around birth is a novel angle.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prince, Lawrence S — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Prince, Lawrence S
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.