How the uterine lining prevents harmful inflammation in early pregnancy
Epigenetics of decidual inflammation
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11333290
This project looks at how changes in gene packaging in the uterine lining help protect people in early pregnancy from damaging inflammation.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11333290 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team will study cells from the uterine lining (decidua) and compare them to earlier endometrial cells to see how they silence inflammatory genes. They will use blood and tissue samples along with lab techniques that read histone marks and DNA-protein interactions (including CUT&RUN) to map repressive epigenetic changes. The researchers will also test whether inflammation before implantation can permanently alter these histone marks and affect later pregnancy outcomes. The work uses human samples and laboratory assays to connect inflammation, epigenetic changes, and early pregnancy health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people trying to conceive or in the first trimester who are willing to provide blood and, when appropriate, uterine lining or early pregnancy tissue samples.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, not planning pregnancy, or who cannot provide blood or tissue samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent inflammation-related pregnancy problems, such as early pregnancy loss, by revealing new targets for prevention or treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show the decidua limits inflammation and that histone modifications regulate gene activity, but applying these epigenetic mechanisms specifically to early pregnancy inflammation is a relatively new direction.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ERLEBACHER, ADRIAN — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: ERLEBACHER, ADRIAN
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.