R01HD103721

Role of Maternal-Fetal Interface NK Cells in Pregnancy Maintenance and Congenital CMV Transmission - Abstract

Immune cells at the maternal/fetal interface play dual roles of orchestrating immune tolerance required for pregnancy maintenance, while also protecting against placental pathogens, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Specialized inhibitory immune cells, known as natural killer (NK) cells, are predominant and dynamic immune cells populating the decidua throughout gestation. Yet, there is a major gap in our understanding of the role of NK cells in protection of the fetus against immune rejection and pathogen invasion.

The role of NK cells, including recently identified cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific memory NK cells, in the interplay between fetal tolerance and protection against congenital CMV transmission is poorly defined.

This study aims to define the role of maternal NK cell populations in regulation of fetal tolerance and protection against placental CMV transmission in the setting of chronic maternal CMV infection.

Our group is uniquely equipped to dissect the immunologic functions at the maternal-fetal interface with significant expertise in both a nonhuman primate (NHP) model of pregnancy and placental CMV transmission, as well as investigations of immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface in human placenta and cord blood.

The NHP model affords the opportunity to study the immunology and physiology of pregnancy across the gestational stages through elective fetal harvest and access to the immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface, as well as validated strategies for peripheral and tissue depletion of effector NK cells in vivo.

We hypothesize that maternal NK cells are critical to both pregnancy maintenance and prevention of CMV reactivation in early pregnancy. Understanding this intersection between maintaining immune tolerance while protecting against placental pathogens is critical to developing immune-based strategies to reduce the morbidity and mortality resulting from adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Weill Medical College Of Cornell University

TO CONDUCT AND SUPPORT LABORATORY RESEARCH, CLINICAL TRIALS, AND STUDIES WITH PEOPLE THAT EXPLORE HEALTH PROCESSES. NICHD RESEARCHERS EXAMINE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, BIOLOGIC AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS, BEHAVIOR PATTERNS, AND POPULATION DYNAMICS TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF ALL PEOPLE. TO EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF DISABILITIES, DISEASES, AND DEFECTS ON THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS. WITH THIS INFORMATION, THE NICHD HOPES TO RESTORE, INCREASE, AND MAXIMIZE THE CAPABILITIES OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DISEASE AND INJURY. TO SPONSOR TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR SCIENTISTS, DOCTORS, AND RESEARCHERS TO ENSURE THAT NICHD RESEARCH CAN CONTINUE. BY TRAINING THESE PROFESSIONALS IN THE LATEST RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES, THE NICHD WILL BE ABLE TO CONDUCT ITS RESEARCH AND MAKE HEALTH RESEARCH PROGRESS UNTIL ALL CHILDREN, ADULTS, FAMILIES, AND POPULATIONS ENJOY GOOD HEALTH. THE MISSION OF THE NICHD IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY PERSON IS BORN HEALTHY AND WANTED, THAT WOMEN SUFFER NO HARMFUL EFFECTS FROM REPRODUCTIVE PROCESSES, AND THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE CHANCE TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL FOR HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES, FREE FROM DISEASE OR DISABILITY, AND TO ENSURE THE HEALTH, PRODUCTIVITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND WELL-BEING OF ALL PEOPLE THROUGH OPTIMAL REHABILITATION.

93.865 - Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) [HHS - NIH]

New York, New York 100654805 United States

Single Zip Code

NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PA-20-185)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 371% from $754,314 to $3,554,496.