How Zika virus infection affects the immune system of fetuses
Official title: Impact of Zika Virus Infection on Fetal Innate and Adaptive Immunity
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11137586 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how infections like the Zika virus in pregnant mothers might affect the immune system development of their babies, using a special animal model to help understand the potential risks and find ways to protect future pregnancies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 12, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $844,016 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176777-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137586 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals who have been infected with Zika virus or other similar viral infections during pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have not been exposed to Zika virus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how maternal infections, specifically Zika virus, influence the development of the immune system in fetuses. Using a non-human primate model, the study aims to understand the relationship between maternal viral infections and immune programming in the fetal brain and lymphoid organs. The researchers will employ advanced immunologic tools to explore how these infections may lead to cellular stress and impact fetal health. The findings could provide insights into potential therapies for protecting fetuses from the adverse effects of maternal infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for protecting fetuses from immune-related injuries caused by maternal infections.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited research on this specific topic, the approach of studying maternal infections and fetal immune responses has shown promise in related fields.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adams Waldorf, Kristina M. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Adams Waldorf, Kristina M.
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.