Prenatal viral-like immune activation plus stress: effects on the placenta and developing brain
Defining the Neuro-Immune and Placental Profile of a Dual-Hit Toll-like Receptor 7 and Stressor Mouse Model
['FUNDING_R21'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-11144605
This project looks at how an immune response in pregnancy that mimics viral infection combined with early-life stress changes the placenta and offspring brain in mice to better understand risks for children's neurodevelopment.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11144605 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers use a mouse model to reproduce a pregnancy immune reaction like a single-stranded viral infection and then expose offspring to a later stressor to mimic a 'two-hit' risk scenario. Pregnant mice receive a compound that activates TLR7 (a receptor that senses single-stranded RNA) to trigger a viral-like immune response, and offspring are later subjected to controlled stress. The team will examine placental tissues, measure immune signals in mothers and pups, look for structural and molecular changes in the developing brain, and run behavioral tests on the offspring. The goal is to find biological patterns that explain why some prenatal infections raise the risk of neuropsychiatric or neurodevelopmental problems while most do not.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This is an animal-only research project using mice; no human participants or patient enrollment are included in this grant.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatments should not expect direct medical benefit from this preclinical laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biological pathways or markers to help prevent or reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders after prenatal infections.
How similar studies have performed: Related two‑hit rodent models have produced consistent brain and behavior changes, but activating TLR7 to mimic single‑stranded viral infections during pregnancy is a relatively newer approach.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BORDT, EVAN ANDREW — MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: BORDT, EVAN ANDREW
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 below.