Stopping cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection using an antibody that blocks the virus's IL-10 protein
Prevention of CMV infection with a viral IL-10 neutralizing antibody
This project gives a powerful antibody that blocks a CMV immune-suppressing protein to see if it can prevent CMV infection in mothers and their unborn babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11233293 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I'm worried about congenital CMV, researchers are developing a lab-made antibody that blocks a CMV protein called viral IL-10, which the virus uses to weaken the immune system. They will purify and test a very potent monoclonal antibody in a rhesus macaque model to see whether giving it before exposure prevents primary infection during early pregnancy. The team will measure antibody potency, safety, and whether treated animals avoid CMV infection compared with controls. This preclinical work aims to inform future human trials that could protect pregnant people and their babies from congenital CMV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The ideal human candidates for future trials would likely be CMV-seronegative women planning pregnancy or in their early first trimester who are at risk for primary CMV infection.
Not a fit: People who are already CMV-seropositive, already infected during pregnancy, or not pregnant would not be expected to benefit from this preventive antibody approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to a preventive antibody given before or during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of congenital CMV.
How similar studies have performed: Vaccines targeting CMV glycoproteins like gB have shown partial protection in seronegative women, but blocking the viral IL-10 immune-suppressing protein is a novel approach with limited prior human data.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hartigan-O'connor, Dennis J. — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Hartigan-O'connor, Dennis J.
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.