Adrenomedullin's role in pregnancy and placental health
Adrenomedullin Signaling at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
This project looks at how the hormone adrenomedullin affects the placenta and pregnancy health for pregnant people and their babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258937 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work studies how the peptide adrenomedullin helps the placenta form and supports the developing fetus using a combination of lab experiments and genetically engineered mouse models, building on discoveries made in people. Researchers use engineered mice to see what happens when AM or its receptor levels are reduced and analyze human genetic cases and tissue samples to link those findings to pregnancy complications. They will also study whether outside factors change AM levels during pregnancy and how those changes affect implantation and fetal growth. The goal is to connect lab discoveries to real pregnancy outcomes so future tests or treatments might be developed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be pregnant people affected by preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, recurrent pregnancy loss, or those with suspected abnormalities in adrenomedullin signaling.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant or whose pregnancy problems are caused by conditions unrelated to adrenomedullin signaling are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new ways to diagnose, prevent, or treat conditions like preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and other pregnancy complications tied to adrenomedullin signaling.
How similar studies have performed: Previous mouse studies and the identification of a human CALCRL receptor mutation support the importance of this pathway, but translating these findings into clinical therapies is still unproven.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Caron, Kathleen M — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Caron, Kathleen M
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.