Understanding how maternal immune responses can prevent congenital CMV transmission
Official title: Identifying and modeling immune correlates of protection against congenital CMV transmission after primary maternal infection
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11040336 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how pregnant women’s immune systems can help protect their babies from catching a virus called congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), and it aims to find ways to create a vaccine to keep future pregnancies safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 17, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $794,563 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173333-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11040336 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who have experienced acute CMV infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who have not been acutely infected with CMV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune responses in pregnant women that may protect against the transmission of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) to their infants. By studying a unique group of women who have experienced acute CMV infection, the researchers aim to identify specific immune factors that correlate with reduced risk of transmitting the virus during pregnancy. The study utilizes data from a previous clinical trial, focusing on both humoral (antibody-related) and cellular immune responses. This approach could lead to insights that inform the development of a vaccine to prevent cCMV infection in future pregnancies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of a vaccine that significantly reduces the incidence of congenital CMV transmission, thereby preventing birth defects and brain damage in infants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding immune responses related to CMV, but this specific approach to modeling protective responses is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Permar, Sallie R. — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Permar, Sallie R.
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.