# Viral pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lesions of the placenta

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $566,770

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction are significant public health problems in the United States,
affecting 10% and 3-9% of births, respectively. These adverse pregnancy outcomes result in increased risk of
mortality and lifelong morbidities, in addition to substantial monetary costs of >$26 billion annually.
Intrauterine/placental inflammation contributes to more than half of preterm birth. Much of the research related
to placental inflammation has focused on acute inflammatory processes, which are typically driven by bacterial
infections in the amniotic cavity, and little is known about the triggers or mechanisms that initiate and sustain
chronic placental inflammation (CPI). It is well known that some CPI is associated with viral infection, such as
cytomegalovirus, but in most cases, the etiology of CPI remains unknown. We hypothesize that most CPI is a
chronic inflammatory reaction to viral infection in the placenta. We will comprehensively analyze placental tissue
from pregnant women to determine whether viruses and antiviral inflammatory profiles are associated with CPI.
Furthermore, we will test maternal blood collected during pregnancy to determine whether we can identify a viral
and/or host signal that will predict development of CPI. Lastly, we will test neonatal umbilical cord blood for the
presence of viral infection or host signal consistent with that seen in the placenta or maternal blood. This study
has the potential to lead to the development of a predictive or diagnostic test for CPI, and it will help us to
understand how CPI is triggered and progresses so that we may ultimately be able to design a preventative or
therapeutic treatment. Ultimately, our ability to predict and/or prevent CPI will improve pregnancy outcomes and
child health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10463753
- **Project number:** 5R01HD103762-02
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Linda M Ernst
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $566,770
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-08-06 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10463753

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10463753, Viral pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lesions of the placenta (5R01HD103762-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10463753. Licensed CC0.

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