How pregnancy affects immune protection against infections
Official title: Pregnancy induced deacetylation of sialylated glycoproteins
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-10991732 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how pregnancy changes a mother's immune system to help protect her newborn from infections, focusing on how certain antibodies work better during this time, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how moms can pass on important defenses to their babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | November 24, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $753,792 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI175431-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991732 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women and their newborns, particularly those at risk for infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or whose newborns are not at risk for infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how pregnancy alters the immune response, particularly focusing on the role of maternal antibodies in protecting newborns from infections like Listeria monocytogenes. It examines the process of deacetylation of sialylated glycoproteins, which enhances the effectiveness of these antibodies. By studying the changes in antibody structure during pregnancy, the research aims to understand how these changes influence the immune system's ability to fight off infections in neonates. The methodology includes analyzing the interactions between antibodies and immune cells to determine how these interactions are modified during pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for protecting newborns from severe infections during the critical early stages of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding maternal antibody transfer and its impact on neonatal immunity, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Way, Sing Sing — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Way, Sing Sing
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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.