How hepatitis B spreads from mothers to their babies
Molecular analysis of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus
This research looks at how a mother's hepatitis B infection changes her baby's immune response and can lead to long-term infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310804 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The project uses a mouse model that mimics babies born to hepatitis B–positive mothers by breeding HBV-carrying female mice and introducing HBV DNA into the pups' livers to see whether the virus persists. Researchers compare pups born to infected versus uninfected mothers and study liver immune cells (Kupffer cells) and CD8 T cells to understand how prenatal exposure shapes the baby's immunity. The aim is to identify molecular signals that allow HBV to avoid clearance in newborns and to point toward ways to prevent chronic infection after birth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who are pregnant and hepatitis B–positive, and infants born to HBV-positive mothers, are the groups most directly relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People with hepatitis B acquired in adulthood or those not exposed to HBV during pregnancy are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific mother-to-child transmission research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent babies from becoming chronically infected with hepatitis B.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies using similar mouse models have shown that maternal HBV exposure can change offspring immune responses and lead to persistent infection, and this work builds on those preclinical findings.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ou, J.-H. James — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Ou, J.-H. James
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.