Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) -II, Cytotrophoblast Migration And Placental Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,750.00
Summary
During pregnancy, placental cells invade into the uterus and tap into the maternal blood vessels to procure an adequate blood supply for the growth of the placenta and hence the fetus. If this invasion process is impaired early in pregnancy, then the woman may suffer a miscarriage, if the process is impaired in mid-pregnancy then the mother may develop preeclampsia in which her blood pressure goes up and, in severe cases, placing her life and that of her unborn baby at risk. Miscarriage occurs i ....During pregnancy, placental cells invade into the uterus and tap into the maternal blood vessels to procure an adequate blood supply for the growth of the placenta and hence the fetus. If this invasion process is impaired early in pregnancy, then the woman may suffer a miscarriage, if the process is impaired in mid-pregnancy then the mother may develop preeclampsia in which her blood pressure goes up and, in severe cases, placing her life and that of her unborn baby at risk. Miscarriage occurs in 10-15% of pregnancies and preecclampsia in 7% of pregnancies. Preecclampsia may be life-threatening in up to 3% of all pregnancies and is a major cause of maternal death in pregnant women in Western countries. This project will examine the effect of treatment of the pregnant guinea pig with insulin-like growth factor-II on placental cell invasion and the capacity of the placenta to deliver nutrients to the fetus. We will also determine whether the effects of this treatment are mediated by a specific membrane receptor on the cell surface of the invading placental cells. We predict that this growth factor will enhance placental cell invasion and improve placental function. If this is the case then our findings may be developed for use in women at risk, to improve placental function and hence maternal and fetal health.Read moreRead less
Diagnostic Tests To Predict Risk For Life Threatening Pregnancy Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,824.00
Summary
The main complications of pregnancy, preeclampsia, preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction afflict 19% of first pregnancies and are life threatening to the mother or baby in 6% of pregnancies. Currently we have no way of knowing which women will suffer these diseases until symptoms manifest. We aim to develop genetic tests that can predict which women are at risk. This will permit earlier interventions that will improve the health of pregnant women and their babies.
The main complications of pregnancy, preeclampsia, preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction affliict 19% of first pregnancies and are life threatening to the mother or baby in 6% of pregnancies. They are associated with poor placental invasion of the uterus. We aim to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in placental invasion and proper placental development to identify possible targets for future treatments to improve the health of pregnant women and babies.
Epidermal Growth Control In Psoriasis And Normal Skin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,980.00
Summary
Our skin protects us from damage, dehydration, infection and harmful UV radiation. At the same time, we expect it to remain healthy, smooth and looking good. How the skin, and more particularly its upper layer, the epidermis, adapts to all these requirements is a complex problem yet to be fully understood. This question forms the basis of our project proposal. The epidermis is a continuously self-renewing tissue, in which cells have an average life of 30 days before they are invisibly shed to th ....Our skin protects us from damage, dehydration, infection and harmful UV radiation. At the same time, we expect it to remain healthy, smooth and looking good. How the skin, and more particularly its upper layer, the epidermis, adapts to all these requirements is a complex problem yet to be fully understood. This question forms the basis of our project proposal. The epidermis is a continuously self-renewing tissue, in which cells have an average life of 30 days before they are invisibly shed to the outside. In normal states and when responding to injury or disease, this cell turnover speed can be finely tuned, for example accelerated in the case of a healing wound. In contrast, if damaged by the sun, epidermal cells undergo a form of cell suicide (apoptosis) to prevent tumours forming from cells with damaged genes. This changing turnover speed is controlled by a series of growth factors, or cytokines. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a unique cytokine that can control both cell turnover rate, and cell death. We aim to uncover the complex biochemical interactions that allow the epidermal IGF-I system to achieve this seemingly contradictory task. This study is important because when the epidermis loses the ability to finely tune its turnover speed, ulcers, sun damage, the common skin disorder psoriasis, or worse still, skin tumours, arise. This project explores ways of manipulating the IGF-I system to prevent this, and builds on some technology developed by the research group that has already proven effective in the control of psoriasis. The project also promises to discover undiscovered growth regulators that could be used in new gene therapies for skin overgrowth diseases.Read moreRead less