How placenta cells help the uterus change to support early pregnancy
Trophoblast-Guided Uterine Transformation in the Establishment of Pregnancy
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11290310
Researchers are learning how placenta cells reshape the uterus in early pregnancy to help prevent pregnancy loss and placental problems for people who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (KANSAS CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11290310 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project focuses on a placenta protein called PLAC1 that appears to guide invasive placenta cells (trophoblasts) as they remodel the uterus. Scientists will use rat models and human tissue data to track how PLAC1 affects trophoblast development, invasion, and interactions with uterine immune, blood vessel, and muscle cells. The work combines cell and molecular experiments and comparisons to human placental biology to identify steps that go wrong in pregnancy disorders. Results aim to explain causes of early pregnancy loss and placental dysfunction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who are pregnant, have a history of early pregnancy loss, or have known placental disorders such as placental abruption may be most relevant for sample donation or future clinical studies.
Not a fit: People without current or planned pregnancies or whose health issues are unrelated to placental or early pregnancy biology are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal biological causes of miscarriage and placental disease and point to new ways to prevent or treat pregnancy complications.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has linked problems with trophoblast invasion to miscarriage and placental disease, but targeting PLAC1 is a newer, largely preclinical direction without established clinical therapies yet.
Where this research is happening
KANSAS CITY, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER — KANSAS CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SOARES, MICHAEL J — UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: SOARES, MICHAEL J
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.
Conditions: Disease