research

Human Placenta

The Foundation is currently funding the following research projects into the Human Placenta.

The characterisation of apoptosis in the human placenta and its pathological role in intrauterine growth restriction

This study was being carried out by Professor Philip Baker and Dr Ian Crocker based at the Maternal & Fetal Health Research Centre, St Mary’s Hospital, Whitworth Park, Manchester M13 0JH. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with a high incidence of death in utero, neonatal morbidity and impaired neurodevelopmental including cerebral palsy. The aim of the study of to provide new insights into the placental environment of IUGR, elucidating the steps to cellular decline and highlighting areas for therapeutic intervention. Published articles arising from Castang Foundation funding to date are:

Crocker IP, Tansinda DM, Baker PM. Altered cell kinetics in cultured placental villous explants in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. J Pathol. In press

Crocker IP, Tansinda DM, Jones CP, Baker PN. The influence of oxygen and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on the cellular kinetics of term placental villus explants in culture. J Histochem Cytochem. 2004. 52: 749-57.

Daayana SL, Baker PN, Crocker IP. An image analysis technique for the investigation of variations in placental morphology in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia with and without intrauterine growth restriction. JSGI. Submitted.

Crocker IP, Wareing M, Ferris GR, Jones CJ, Cartwright JE, Baker PN, Aplin JD. The effect of vessel structure, oxygen and tumor necrosis factor alpha on trophoblast invasion of maternal arteries in vitro. Am J Path. Submitted.

Crocker IP, Kenny LC, Thornton WA, Szabo C, Baker PN. Excessive stimulation of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation contributes to endothelial dysfunction in pre-eclampsia. B J Pharmacol. Submitted.

This research project is on-going and a study is being undertaken on Placental Cell turnover. The main aim of this study is to carry forward the researcher's past findings on exaggerated cell turnover of placentas of complicated and growth restricted pregnancy using modern techniques to counteract these pathological events.