Understanding how breastfeeding T cells help protect infants from respiratory infections
Official title: Elucidating a novel respiratory-mammary axis of T cell immunity
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11054883 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how T cells in breast milk might help protect babies from respiratory infections, and it’s for mothers and their infants to understand how breastfeeding can boost a baby's immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | December 16, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $114,976 |
| NIH project number | 1K99AI182458-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054883 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are breastfeeding mothers and their infants, particularly those under 11 years old.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not breastfeeding or whose infants are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of T cells found in breast milk and their potential protective effects against respiratory infections in infants. By studying mother-infant pairs, the research aims to understand how maternal respiratory infections influence T cell populations in both the breast and the infant's respiratory tract. The methodology includes analyzing breast milk cells, nasal mucosal cells, and blood samples using advanced sequencing techniques to uncover the relationship between these T cells and immune responses. The ultimate goal is to clarify how breastfeeding may enhance an infant's immunity to respiratory illnesses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing infant immunity and reducing respiratory infections in young children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the immune benefits of breastfeeding, but this specific investigation into T cells in breast milk is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Armistead, Blair — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Armistead, Blair
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.