Grant: Operating Grant

Infertility affects approximately 10% of couples trying to establish a family. These statistics are rapidly increasing in developed countries as women continue to choose to delay child-bearing. A major underlying cause of infertility is believed to be the inability of the embryo to interact with the lining of the uterus (endometrium), a condition known as pregnancy loss. Furthermore, preeclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy that has severe consequences for the mother and her unborn child. A better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of pregnancy would reduce the emotional and physical toll that these reproductive health problems have on women and alleviate the huge financial burden that they create for the health care system. In the studies outlined in this application, we will use cells isolated from human placenta or endometrium and grown in culture to answer the following questions 1) how do placenta cells and endometrial cells interact with one another to create an interface between the mother and fetus that permits the exchange of essential nutrients and waste products? and 2) what hormones regulate this process? We believe that disruption(s) in the activity of these developmental pathways is the underlying cause(s) of pregnancy loss and, in less severe cases, preeclampsia. The long term goals of these studies are to develop, novel cell-based diagnostic tools and therapies for the management and/or treatment of these and other related, reproductive health problems.