Funding outcome

Newborns are more prone to infections than adults, and scientists have long believed this was due to immature immune systems. However, our recent discoveries challenged this idea. We identified a special group of immune red blood cells, called CD71⁺ erythroid cells (CECs), that are naturally abundant in newborns. These cells don't just make red blood cells-they also help control the immune system by calming it down. This may help babies safely adapt to the many new and good bacteria they encounter after birth, which called microbiome. Interestingly, CECs also help keep the 'good' gut bacteria in balance, which can influence brain development. We've found something new and exciting: CECs produce a protein called artemin (ARTN), which can directly communicate with brain immune cells called microglia. Microglia are vital for brain development, and when they don't function properly, problems like learning disabilities or developmental delays can arise. We believe that CECs use ARTN to 'talk' to microglia and guide brain development in newborns. In this study, we'll figure out how CECs send signals to microglia, how ARTN affects microglial behavior, and what happens to the brain when this communication is disrupted. We'll use advanced lab methods to analyze mouse brains, study gene activity, and track how brain cells respond when CECs or ARTN are removed. This work could change how we think about newborn immunity and brain development. It may help us understand why some premature babies have lifelong brain challenges and how we might prevent them in the future.