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Welcome to the Derderian Lab
Chris Derderian, MD
Research Interests
We study epigenetic regulation of placentation and aberrations associated with fetal pathology, specifically fetal growth restriction (FGR). Using both mouse models and placental organoids, my lab is interested in how extracellular vesicles and microRNAs impair trophoblast invasion into the uterine wall and placental budding angiogenesis, two pathologic processes evident in FGR.
Active Research Projects
Longitudinal Effects of Maternal Malnutrition in a Mouse Model of Fetal Growth Restriction
Using a maternal caloric restriction mouse model of FGR, we aim to identify epigenetic regulates with bulk RNA-sequencing. By identifying microRNAs that have altered levels of expression in FGR placentas, we aim to develop placental directed therapies to mitigate the FGR pathology.
Transcriptional Analysis of Fetal Growth Restricted Placental Organoids
Risk factors for FGR are diverse, posing a challenge with in vivo and in vitro modeling. Placental organoids, on the other hand, provide a tool to circumvent this challenge. As a result, diseased placentas such as those associated with FGR can be transformed into organoids to better characterize the pathogenesis and test therapeutics. Thus, our central hypothesis is that epigenetic regulators, particularly microRNAs, inhibit angiogenic pathways in FGR. We propose that microRNAs are released from cytotrophoblasts via extracellular vesicles and signal to extravillous trophoblasts to impairing their invasion and disrupt placental angiogenesis. The aim of this project is to 1) Perform transcriptional and epigenetic profiling of FGR placental tissue and organoids. 2) Assessment extravillous trophoblast invasion and angiogenic potential using placental organoids. 3) Determine if extracellular vesicles released from FGR placental organoids have an inhibitory effect on extravillous trophoblast invasion and endothelial angiogenesis.
Second trimester maternal serum microRNAs as a biomarker for CDH severity
Prenatal biomarkers for congenital diaphragmatic hernia are lacking. MicroRNAs have been shown to be excellent biomarkers in various disease processes including pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study is to identify a microRNA signature associated with poor survival in order to select ideal candidates who may benefit from fetoscopic endotracheal occlusion (FETO).
For more information, please email James Bardill at James.Bardill@CUAnschutz.edu.