How immune B cells and antibodies in preeclampsia affect blood pressure, thinking, and kidney health in moms and their children
Official title: Sex differences in hypertension, cognitive function and renal hemodynamics; a role for B cells and autoantibodies
Funded at University of Mississippi Med Ctr · NIH-11099722 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether B cells and a specific antibody linked to preeclampsia cause high blood pressure and problems with brain and kidney function in pregnant people and in their adult children, and whether effects differ by sex.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jackson, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $501,050 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL170622-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11099722 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with a history of preeclampsia and potentially their adult offspring, especially those receiving care at or near the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
✕Less likely to help
People without a history of preeclampsia, those under 21, or individuals far from the study location are unlikely to be eligible or to receive direct benefit from participation.
What this research studies
This work follows people affected by preeclampsia and studies their B cells and an autoantibody called AT1-AA using patient samples alongside laboratory adoptive-transfer models to see how these immune factors influence blood pressure, cognition, and kidney blood flow. Researchers will compare people with and without prior COVID-19 and will examine whether male and female offspring show different long-term blood pressure and brain/kidney outcomes. Some experiments move B cells into model systems to test cause-and-effect and to try blocking the antibody with a peptide to reduce harm. The team aims to connect findings in patients to biological mechanisms that could guide future prevention or treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify immune-based targets to prevent or treat hypertension and brain or kidney complications after preeclampsia in mothers and reduce long-term risk in their children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies show AT1-AA can cause hypertension and that blocking it can reduce symptoms, but human evidence and studies on sex differences remain limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Mississippi Med Ctr
Jackson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lamarca, Babbette — University of Mississippi Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Lamarca, Babbette
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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.