# Maternal microchimerism transfers cellular immunity to offspring

> **NIH NIH F32** · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · 2020 · $76,350

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Bidirectional transplacental exchange of cells between mother and fetus occurs ubiquitously during mammalian
pregnancy. Breastfeeding allows further transfer of cells from mother to offspring. The long-term persistence of
these genetically foreign cells results in microchimerism. Aside from reproductive fitness, little is known about
the function of maternal microchimeric cells. Given the rapid physiological changes occurring during the
perinatal period, these cells have the potential to alter the developmental trajectory of progeny. Maternal
microchimeric cells traffic to the bone marrow and lymphoid organs in the developing fetus. Thus, these cells
have the potential to provide protection against neonatal infection and aid in maturation of the immune system.
Neonates are at high risk of developing sepsis or other serious infections, and infection alone accounts for
~35% of all mortality in the neonatal period. We have established tools with which to study microchimerism,
especially as it relates to the development of the fetal immune system. Further knowledge is needed regarding
neonatal immunity and how it may be shaped by the maternal immune system. Our overall hypothesis is that
maternal microchimeric cells provide a means of vertically transferring adaptive cellular immunity from mother
to offspring. To address this key unanswered area in development and immunology, we will utilize the clinically
relevant pathogens Listeria monocytogenes, which causes serious infections in pregnant mothers as well as
sepsis and meningitis in neonates, and Candida albicans, which causes fungal sepsis in premature neonates.
We will interrogate how the transfer from mother to fetus of cellular immune responses directed against Listeria
or Candida affect susceptibility to neonatal infection. We will further characterize the phenotype of these cells
and their mechanism of transfer. The results of these studies could be directly translated to therapies aimed at
boosting preconceptual and postnatal cellular immunity. This would be particularly helpful in high risk
pregnancies to provide protection against infection in premature infants or those with congenital anomalies.
The fellowship training plan will take place under the guidance of the sponsor, Sing Sing Way, M.D/Ph.D., an
infectious disease pediatrician and established physician-scientist in the areas of reproductive immunology and
prenatal infection. In turn, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is a superb institution for the study of immunology and
reproductive health with a proven track record of translational and clinical implementation of basic research
discoveries. The primary investigator is a pediatric physician-scientist performing fellowship training in the
Department of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. This focused three-year grant will serve to bolster his training as a
physician-scientist by providing support for dedicated research time and career development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10012754
- **Project number:** 5F32AI145184-02
- **Recipient organization:** CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** John J. Erickson
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $76,350
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10012754

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10012754, Maternal microchimerism transfers cellular immunity to offspring (5F32AI145184-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10012754. Licensed CC0.

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