Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Perinatal Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) exposure and Immunotoxicity in early life

Award Number: R01ES035037
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/20/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2028

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Perinatal Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) exposure and Immunotoxicity in early life - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure is widespread. Drinking water is considered a primary source of exposure, and high levels of PFAS are found in many communities, sparking concerns about health impacts on these populations. We have demonstrated high PFAS levels in drinking water in Pittsboro, NC. The residents in this city are currently experiencing disparate exposures of PFAS. However, the potential health risks associated with these exposures are not well understood. In addition, very little is known about the toxicity of “emerging” PFAS, including perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), which are increasingly detected in the environmment and within humans. We have demonstrated the reproductive toxicity of PFBS. Epidemiological studies, supported by findings from toxicological studies, provide strong evidence that humans exposed to the PFAS legacy compounds are at risk for immunosuppression, including reduced antibody response to vaccination in children. Notably, there are lack of relevant data assessing the effects of exposure to emerging PFAS chemicals or PFAS mixtures and immunotoxicity in early life such as during pregnancy and lactation. In this proposal, we will test our hypothesis that maternal PFAS exposure results in reduced immune response to vaccination, during pregnancy in dams and in offspring after birth through altered cellular immunity and gut microbiota; decreased antibody transfer from dams to offspring through placenta and breast milk by disrupting endocrine signaling and antibobdy transfer receptors. Our specific aims are to: 1) Investigate maternal PFAS exposure and its effects on immune response to vaccination in dams and placental transfer of IgG from maternal to fetal compartment; 2) Examine the effects of maternal PFAS exposure on offspring through breastfeeding and antibody transfer and identify underlying mechanisms; 3) Determine the impact of maternal PFAS exposure on the establishment of gut microbiota and immune response to vaccination in offspring. This study is novel because we will address health impacts of PFAS mixtures mimicking highly contaminated community drinking water and an emerging PFAS compound, whereas most previous studies focused on legacy compounds; Although rodents are a commonly used model for immunotoxicity studies, rabbits are a more suitable animal model for investigating both maternal transfer of antibodies to the offspring and the development of the immune system during early life, including establishment of gut microbiota and immune response to vaccination. This study will provide new insights into the impact of perinatal PFAS exposure from breast-feeding and the subsequent health effects in offspring. Feasibility: The combination of expertise and preliminary studies provide a strong foundation for this proposal. Dr. Feng’s lab has established the perinatal PFAS exposure rabbit model; this proposal is an extension of her K01 project. Drs. Staats and Landon have extensive experience working with rabbits, such as immune responses to a variety of vaccinations in rabbits. Dr. Fenton has three decades of experience with mammary gland development, lactation, and toxicity in animal models, most of which pertains to PFAS exposure. Dr. Ji is an expert in analyzing single-cell sequencing and metagenomics data. Our study will make significant contributions to our understanding of the health impacts of PFAS and provide evidence to support regulations.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $483,377 )
2026	2026	DUKE UNIVERSITY	2200 W MAIN ST	DURHAM	NC	27705	DURHAM	USA	Environmental Health	000	4	4/2/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$483,377
														Subtotal = $483,377

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $497,150 )
2025	2025	DUKE UNIVERSITY	2200 W MAIN ST	DURHAM	NC	27705	DURHAM	USA	Environmental Health	000	3	1/15/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$497,150
														Subtotal = $497,150

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $505,237 )
2024	2024	DUKE UNIVERSITY	2200 W MAIN ST	DURHAM	NC	27705	DURHAM	USA	Environmental Health	000	2	1/31/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$505,237
														Subtotal = $505,237

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $515,730 )
2023	2023	DUKE UNIVERSITY	2200 W MAIN ST	DURHAM	NC	27705	DURHAM	USA	Environmental Health	000	1	4/17/2023	NEW	$515,730
														Subtotal = $515,730

Grand Total All Awards = $2,001,494

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Perinatal Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) exposure and Immunotoxicity in early life

Award Number: R01ES035037

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/20/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2028

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer