How in-utero natural killer cells respond to congenital cytomegalovirus infection
Official title: Adaptive Features of In-Utero Natural Killer Cell Responses to Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection
Funded at Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp · NIH-11017019 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special immune cells in the womb react to a common virus that can affect newborns, to help understand how these responses might influence the health and development of babies with the infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project start | January 26, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $189,150 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI183689-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017019 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include newborns diagnosed with congenital cytomegalovirus infection, as well as their mothers during pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by congenital cytomegalovirus infection or who are beyond the neonatal stage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how natural killer (NK) cells in the womb respond to congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection, which is a common viral infection affecting newborns. The study aims to understand the differences in NK cell responses between infected and uninfected neonates, focusing on their ability to control the virus and the potential impact on neurological outcomes. By analyzing the immunophenotypes of these NK cells, researchers hope to uncover mechanisms that could lead to improved treatments for infants affected by cCMV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better therapeutic strategies for preventing or mitigating the neurological disabilities associated with congenital cytomegalovirus infection in infants.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of studying in-utero NK cell responses to cCMV is novel, there is existing research on NK cell responses in other viral infections that suggests potential for success.
Where this research is happening
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Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shimamura, Masako — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Shimamura, Masako
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.