How infections or inflammation during pregnancy can change a baby's immune cells
Official title: Does the maternal environment during viral infection and inflammation direct fetal T cell development and function?
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11184505 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether a mother's infection or inflammation while pregnant changes how a baby's T cells develop and could affect health later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $390,641 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111148-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11184505 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who are pregnant — especially those who have experienced viral infection or significant inflammation during pregnancy — or parents willing to donate cord blood or placental samples would be the most relevant participants.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not pregnant or whose immune conditions are already established in adulthood are unlikely to see direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
From a parent's point of view, the team is studying a special group of immune cells that are formed before birth and may protect against infections, cancer, or autoimmune problems. They are focusing on how a mother's immune activation during pregnancy — for example from a viral infection or inflammation — might shift the way those fetal immune cells are programmed. The researchers will use laboratory models and molecular analyses to track how fetal T cells form and function after maternal inflammation. Findings may include comparisons between animal models and available human tissue or sample data to connect the lab work to human health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal why some people are more susceptible to infections or autoimmune conditions and point to ways to protect fetal immune development during pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies have shown that maternal inflammation can alter offspring immunity, but human evidence is limited and this project builds on those early findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bonney, Elizabeth a. — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Bonney, Elizabeth a.
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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.