Understanding how fetal membranes and immune cells respond to infections
Official title: Mechanisms regulating fetal membrane and neutrophil responses to infection
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10876528 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the protective membranes around a baby respond to bacterial infections and how certain immune cells help fight off these infections, while also trying to understand how this process can sometimes cause harmful inflammation, especially in cases related to preterm birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | August 3, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $404,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AI173289-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876528 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals at risk of chorioamnionitis or those experiencing symptoms of infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those without any signs of infection or inflammation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the inflammatory response of fetal membranes to bacterial infections, particularly focusing on how neutrophils, a type of immune cell, infiltrate these membranes. The study aims to uncover the mechanisms by which fetal membranes protect against infections while also understanding how this protection can lead to harmful inflammation. By examining specific immune receptors and the production of inflammatory signals, the research seeks to clarify the balance between defense and damage in the context of chorioamnionitis, a condition linked to preterm birth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of infections during pregnancy, potentially reducing the risk of preterm birth and associated complications.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding immune responses to infections, but this specific focus on fetal membranes and neutrophil interactions is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abrahams, Vikki M — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Abrahams, Vikki M
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.