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Exposome & Pregnancy-Associated Triggers of Host Immunity and Sex-Dimorphic Outcomes

Award Number: U54ES038382
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2031

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Exposome & Pregnancy-Associated Triggers of Host Immunity and Sex-Dimorphic Outcomes - The objective of the “Exposome & Pregnancy-Associated Triggers of Host Immunity and Sex-Dimorphic Outcomes Program (E-PATHS) at the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development at Wayne State University is to enhance our understanding related to the influence of sexual dimorphism on immune adaptation to environmental stressors and its implication on the health of the father, mother and the offspring. Adult sexual dimorphisms observed in the susceptibility to many cancers, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases are attributed to differences in the immune system between females and males. Similarly, fetal sex has been associated with differential risks of perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth and pre-eclampsia. We propose an innovative hypothesis that challenges the current concept about the adaptation of the immune system during pregnancy and hypothesize that immunological responses from the paternal-maternal-placental-fetal tetrad to microbial and environmental stimuli is sex-specific. The specificity of the response to the environmental stimuli and the sex of the placental/fetal unit will determine the impact on the immunological development that will translate on tissue and sex specific differential immune responses on the offspring. We propose the E-PATHS Program to achieve the following overall Specific Aims: Aim 1. To understand the sex-specific immunological response of the placenta to outdoor air pollutant benzene and viral infections and its impact on the development of the fetal immune system during pregnancy. Aim 2. To determine the mechanism by which indoor air pollutant e-cigarettes’ nicotine and benzoic acid alter the developing lung immune adaptations in a sex-specific manner, resulting in deficient antiviral innate immune responses and increased risk to respiratory viral infections. Aim 3. To investigate preconception PFAS in males and resulting modulation of sperm methylation leading to sexually dimorphic placental programming and intergenerational predisposition to immune mediators of cardiometabolic disease in F1 offspring. Aim 4. To promote career development on the field of sexual dimorphism, with an emphasis on environmental stressors and fetal immune development. Upon successful completion of these aims, the E-PATHS program will deliver a solid foundation on sex-specific pre-conception, gestational and developmental immune outcomes following microbial infections and enable future translational research and therapeutic approaches


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 = $1,499,999 )
2026	2026	WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY	5700 CASS AVE STE 4900	DETROIT	MI	48202	WAYNE	USA	Environmental Health	000	1	7/28/2026	NEW	$1,499,999
														Subtotal = $1,499,999

Grand Total All Awards = $1,499,999

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Exposome & Pregnancy-Associated Triggers of Host Immunity and Sex-Dimorphic Outcomes

Award Number: U54ES038382

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2031

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