Why the placenta becomes vulnerable to CMV (cytomegalovirus)
Trophoblast development and placental susceptibility to cytomegalovirus infection
Researchers will look at placenta cells to understand when and how CMV can infect the placenta during pregnancy and how to better protect babies before birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322105 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will use lab-grown human placental (trophoblast) stem cells and follow them as they differentiate to see when cells lose their natural antiviral defenses. They will compare gene activity between early, resistant cells and later, more vulnerable cells, and use CRISPR-based gene editing to turn specific genes on or off to find which ones protect against CMV. Promising protective factors will be tested in relevant models of the placenta to confirm their role. The goal is to identify pathways or molecules that could one day be targeted to prevent placental infection and congenital CMV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most relevant to this work would include pregnant individuals—especially early in pregnancy—or those willing to donate placental tissue or clinical samples, and those with recent or suspected CMV infection.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment for CMV or non-pregnant individuals are unlikely to get direct or immediate personal benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent CMV from crossing the placenta and reduce the risk of congenital CMV in newborns.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab studies show some placental cells resist CMV through interferon-stimulated genes, but using unbiased CRISPR screens to pinpoint protective factors is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bierle, Craig John — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Bierle, Craig John
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.