# Gestation Dependent Immune Response to Group B Streptococcus Infection During Pregnancy

> **NIH NIH K08** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $149,179

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The goal of this Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award is to provide the necessary
training and skills to develop into a physician scientist who successfully runs an independent research program
focused on reproductive immunology. Dr. Kristen Noble is an Instructor in the Division of Neonatology at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Her career goal is to study the host response to infection during
pregnancy to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve maternal-fetal health. With the
strong mentorship of Dr. C. Henrique Serezani, Dr. David Aronoff, and a multidisciplinary Faculty Oversight
Committee, Dr. Noble will master skills in systems biology (including next generation sequencing and ultra-high
level multiplex immunofluorescence), modeling of infection during pregnancy, and techniques in reproductive
immunology. Vanderbilt provides a rich environment for scientific discovery and collaboration with unique
career development opportunities, shared resources, and facilities with cutting-edge technology to support
early career physician-scientists on their path to independence.
This proposal tests the central hypothesis that the natural evolution of the immune system during pregnancy
dictates gestation-dependent pregnancy outcomes to Group B Streptococcal (GBS) infection, including
differential maternal and fetal immune responses in the gestational tissues. To test this hypothesis, Aim 1 will
define dynamic genetic programs at the single cell level that are activated in response to GBS infection as a
function of gestational age. The intrauterine gestational tissues have unique and dynamic immune
compositions throughout pregnancy. Therefore, we will also use ultra-high level multiplex immunofluorescence
to provide spatial context to key GBS-induced immune responses. The innate immune system is essential for
the protection against pathogens. The intrauterine niche is uniquely composed of both maternal- and fetal-
derived innate immune cells, including macrophages. Aim 2 will use unique mouse models to define the
differential maternal and fetal macrophage contributions to immunity against GBS and to pregnancy outcomes
after infection. Completion of these aims will close substantial knowledge gaps regarding the dynamic nature of
local intrauterine immunity protecting against bacterial infection during pregnancy. This is critical for the
discovery of early diagnostic indicators of infection of which there are none, and necessary to identify potential
therapeutic mechanisms for decreasing poor pregnancy outcomes after GBS infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10845267
- **Project number:** 5K08HD111664-02
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Kristen Nicole Noble
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $149,179
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-06-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10845267

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10845267, Gestation Dependent Immune Response to Group B Streptococcus Infection During Pregnancy (5K08HD111664-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10845267. Licensed CC0.

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