Duke-NUS study finds foetuses can fight infections from within the womb
A new study has found that foetuses have functional immune systems long before birth, helping them combat diseases and infections even when in the womb. This discovery could pave the way for new care methods for pregnant women who contract infections. Scientists from the Duke-NUS Medical School used mice to study foetal immune systems and their response to different strains of the Zika virus. They found that some immune cells took on a protective role and reduced damage to the developing brains of the foetuses. However, other immune cells triggered harmful inflammation, killing brain cells instead. Associate Professor Ashley St John, lead author of the study, shared more about her research on foetal immunity.
A new study has found that foetuses have functional immune systems long before birth, helping them combat diseases and infections even when in the womb. This discovery could pave the way for new care methods for pregnant women who contract infections. Scientists from the Duke-NUS Medical School used mice to study foetal immune systems and their response to different strains of the Zika virus. They found that some immune cells took on a protective role and reduced damage to the developing brains of the foetuses. However, other immune cells triggered harmful inflammation, killing brain cells instead. Associate Professor Ashley St John, lead author of the study, shared more about her research on foetal immunity.
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