Placental macrophages and maternal CMV infection at the fetal interface
Official title: The role of placental macrophages in cytomegalovirus infection at the maternal-fetal interface
Funded at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine · NIH-11404956 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how placenta immune cells protect the fetus from cytomegalovirus (CMV) during pregnancy, with potential to improve strategies to prevent congenital CMV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (London, United Kingdom) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $386,588 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI185558-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404956 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women with CMV infection during pregnancy and their newborns, or samples from placental tissue for laboratory analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits may be limited for pregnancies not affected by CMV or when placental findings do not translate to clinical practice.
What this research studies
This project looks at how Hofbauer cells in the placenta handle CMV and how antibodies and other immune factors help or hinder transmission to the baby. Researchers will study how placental immune cells interact with CMV, including antibody-dependent cellular processes and how viral proteins affect entry into cells. The findings could identify targets to strengthen fetal protection and inform vaccine strategies. The work emphasizes translating basic placental immunology into ideas that could reduce congenital CMV risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of placental immunity could lead to new ways to prevent congenital CMV in newborns.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown placental immune mechanisms influence CMV transmission, but detailed roles of Hofbauer cells and humoral factors remain incompletely understood.
Where this research is happening
-
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
London, United Kingdom Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Yan — Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
- Study coordinator: Liu, Yan
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.