# Wisconsin Infant Study Cohort (WISC)

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2020 · $865,096

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The morbidity and cost to society from childhood viral respiratory illnesses (VRI) is staggering, and allergic
respiratory disease is rampant. In the search for prevention for these common and important diseases,
perhaps the solutions are on the farm. Preliminary results from the Wisconsin Infant Study Cohort (WISC)
demonstrate that children raised on farms have reduced VRI and atopic dermatitis, and distinct innate immune
cell maturation trajectories in early life. Furthermore, in our preliminary studies mononuclear cells from Amish
newborns (high microbial exposure, low rates of allergy) had a more mature phenotype and enhanced antiviral
responses compared to WISC newborns. Collectively, these findings support our central hypothesis: farm-
related microbial exposures are associated with increased immune cell maturation, decreased viral
respiratory illness severity, and decreased allergic sensitization. To address this hypothesis, we will enlist
our currently enrolled 204 WISC participants (93 farm, 111 non-farm), and enroll additional Amish, WISC farm,
and WISC non-farm families (50/group). Our study has three aims that employ cutting-edge technologies and
leverage our investigative team's extensive experience with farm medicine, birth cohorts, respiratory virology
and immune development in children. Aim 1: To characterize how farm-related exposures relate to immune
development in early life. We hypothesize that farm-related microbial exposures will prompt increased innate
immune cell maturation and function in early life, including enhanced anti-inflammatory mechanisms. In these
studies, we will identify farming and microbial effects on immune development of key cells (epithelial cell,
plasmacytoid dendritic cell, neutrophil, Tregulatory cells) in the mucosal response to viruses and allergens.
Aim 2: To determine how farm exposures affect the burden of VRI and rates of allergic diseases. We
hypothesize that farm-exposed infants have reduced VRI burden and reduced sensitization to common
environmental allergens. In these studies, we will use viral diagnostics to determine infections and illnesses,
and measure specific IgE to aeroallergens. Aim 3: To define group-specific associations between farm-related
environmental and lifestyle factors, microbial exposure and colonization (nasopharyngeal and stool), immune
development, and clinical outcomes (respiratory illness burden and rates of AD and allergic sensitization). We
hypothesize that house dust from farm homes, particularly Amish households, has more diverse environmental
microbiota communities, more diverse microbial colonization of the nasopharynx and gut, and improved
respiratory health outcomes. In these studies, microbial genomics will be used to identify bacteria and fungi in
household dust, nasopharynx, and gut samples, and we will analyze relationships with patterns of immune
development, VRI, and allergy. Completion of these studies will lead to development o...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9858218
- **Project number:** 5U19AI104317-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** James E. Gern
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $865,096
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9858218

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9858218, Wisconsin Infant Study Cohort (WISC) (5U19AI104317-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9858218. Licensed CC0.

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