Innate immunity, vascular dysfunction, and hypertension in pregnancy
Official title: Project III: Innate immunity, Vascular Dysfunction and HTN during Pregnancy
Funded at University of Mississippi Med Ctr · NIH-11397758 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests how immune cells in pregnancy may drive high blood pressure and vascular problems during pregnancy and after, with the goal of improving outcomes for mothers and babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jackson, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $180,969 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HL170290-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397758 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals or recent postpartum patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy or those at risk.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without hypertensive pregnancy risk or related immune activation may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you have a pregnancy with hypertension or related complications, this study looks at immune cells called macrophages and B cells to understand how they might promote inflammation and vascular problems. Researchers will examine how placental ischemia (reduced blood flow to the placenta) affects these cells and whether this leads to autoantibodies that can worsen blood pressure and organ function. The work may involve analyzing samples and models to map pathways from immune activation to cardiovascular risk, with attention to both during pregnancy and postpartum effects. The findings could point to new strategies to prevent or reduce hypertensive complications in pregnancy and long-term cardiovascular risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of immune drivers could lead to new treatments or prevention strategies for hypertensive pregnancy and future cardiovascular risk.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked placental inflammation and immune activation to pregnancy complications, but the exact role of M1 macrophages and AT1-AA–mediated autoantibody production is still being clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Mississippi Med Ctr
Jackson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cornelius, Denise Creshun — University of Mississippi Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Cornelius, Denise Creshun
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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.