Understanding how viruses cause long-term inflammation in the placenta
Viral pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lesions of the placenta
This project looks for connections between viruses and long-lasting inflammation in the placenta to understand why some pregnancies have complications like preterm birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146487 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Preterm birth and babies growing too slowly are serious concerns for many families. This project focuses on long-lasting inflammation in the placenta, which can contribute to these issues. We believe that many cases of this chronic inflammation might be caused by viral infections. To explore this, we will carefully examine placental tissue, blood samples from pregnant women, and umbilical cord blood from newborns. Our goal is to discover if specific viruses or immune responses can help us predict when chronic placental inflammation might develop.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant women who experience preterm birth or have babies with intrauterine growth restriction, as well as their newborns, could be considered for future related studies involving sample donation.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment for current pregnancy complications will not directly benefit from this foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to identify and prevent chronic placental inflammation, potentially reducing the risk of preterm birth and improving infant health.
How similar studies have performed: While some chronic placental inflammation is linked to known viruses like cytomegalovirus, the broader causes are largely unknown, making this a novel area of exploration.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wylie, Kristine M. — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Wylie, Kristine 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 below.