Progesterone, immune factors, and risk of preeclampsia in pregnancy
Project 003 - Lorena Amaral
This project looks at whether low progesterone and changes in immune cells and antibodies contribute to preeclampsia in pregnant people, including those with chronic high blood pressure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jackson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11095909 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I'm pregnant, this research examines how progesterone-related proteins (like PIBF), shifts in T helper cells and natural killer cells, and B-cell–produced angiotensin receptor autoantibodies may lead to preeclampsia or superimposed preeclampsia in people with chronic hypertension. The team measures hormone and cytokine levels, immune cell types, inflammatory markers such as sFlt-1 and endothelin, and specific antibodies in blood and tissue samples. They compare findings from healthy pregnancies, pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, and pregnancies with preexisting hypertension to find patterns linking immune imbalance to placental and blood vessel problems. The goal is to identify biological targets that could be used to prevent or better treat preeclampsia in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be pregnant people, especially those with chronic hypertension or early signs of preeclampsia, who are willing to provide blood or placental samples and attend visits at the study center.
Not a fit: Non-pregnant individuals and people with conditions unrelated to pregnancy complications are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat preeclampsia by correcting progesterone or immune imbalances.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and human studies have linked low progesterone, PIBF changes, and immune imbalances to preeclampsia, but translating these findings into proven prevention or treatment strategies remains relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Jackson, United States
- University of Mississippi Med Ctr — Jackson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Amaral, Lorena M — University of Mississippi Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Amaral, Lorena 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.