Understanding how immune cells in the placenta respond to inflammation during pregnancy
Official title: Role of Hofbauer cells in prenatal inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11066192 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special immune cells in the placenta to see how they react during pregnancies with inflammation, especially those that result in preterm birth, to help find better ways to prevent or treat issues related to this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $49,174 |
| NIH project number | 1F30HD115297-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066192 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals experiencing complications that may lead to preterm birth.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those with pregnancies that are not at risk for complications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Hofbauer cells, a type of immune cell in the placenta, in the context of prenatal inflammation, particularly in pregnancies that lead to preterm birth. The study aims to understand how these cells contribute to inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface and how this affects pregnancy outcomes. By comparing the inflammatory profiles of Hofbauer cells in healthy versus pathological pregnancies, the research seeks to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better prevention or treatment strategies for complications arising from prenatal inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing preterm birth and enhancing neonatal health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding immune responses in the placenta can lead to significant advancements in managing pregnancy complications, indicating a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weng, Jessica — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Weng, Jessica
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.