Understanding how antibodies are transferred from mother to fetus to improve maternal vaccines
Mechanistic insights into the kinetics of Fc receptor-mediated placental antibody transfer to optimize maternal vaccine strategies
This study is looking at how a mother passes important antibodies to her baby during pregnancy to help protect them from infections, with the goal of improving vaccination strategies for moms so their newborns can be healthier right from the start.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10947500 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind how antibodies, specifically immunoglobulin G (IgG), are transferred from a mother to her fetus through the placenta. It focuses on the role of the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) and other receptors in this process, aiming to optimize maternal vaccination strategies to enhance protection for newborns against infections. By studying these mechanisms, the research seeks to address the challenges of varying vaccine effectiveness across different pregnancies and improve outcomes for infants in their early weeks of life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who are considering vaccination to protect their newborns from infections.
Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those whose infants are older than a few weeks may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective maternal vaccines that provide better protection for newborns against serious infections.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in understanding antibody transfer mechanisms, but this specific approach is exploring novel aspects that have not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dolatshahi, Sepideh — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Dolatshahi, Sepideh
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.