Su Lab

Understand mechanisms underlying aberrant placental function in severe fetal growth restriction.

Su Lab

Understand mechanisms underlying aberrant placental function in severe fetal growth restriction.

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) secondary to placental insufficiency is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality.  Of even more concern are fetuses that suffer from early-onset, severe growth restriction. As detected by Doppler ultrasound, these pregnancies often exhibit grave impairments in fetoplacental blood flow, leading to a high risk for stillbirth/neonatal death and neurodevelopmental delay and long-term health consequences in those infants that survive. Currently, no preventative or therapeutic measures for severe FGR exist other than delivery, and clinical data are clear that this intervention does not impact overall survival or long-term outcome. 

The Su Lab’s primary research focus is to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal placental blood flow and function. One common finding in placentas from pregnancies complicated by severe FGR is maldevelopment of the placental vascular tree as a consequence of impaired angiogenesis. We are investigating cellular and molecular derangements from human placental endothelial cells isolated from pregnancies complicated by severe FGR that underlie compromised endothelial cell migration. More recently, we have begun to study the role of the placental microenvironment, with focus on the placental villous stroma and on placental endothelial cell-extracellular matrix interactions. The ultimate goal of our research is to understand mechanisms underlying aberrant placental function in severe FGR that will lead to prevention strategies and treatment modalities.

 

Contact Info

Olivia Castillo
Division Administrator
12700 East 19th Avenue
Room 3000D, MS 8613
Aurora, CO 80045

Phone: (303) 724-4144