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Project

Pathological findings in A1Mko mouse-model in pregnancy

Pregnancy is associated with numerous changes affecting almost every system of the maternal body. Increased need in energy production insure support of gestational adaptive changes. Higher rate of energy rich substrates consumption results in accumulation of toxic by- and end products of metabolism including free radicals (ROS). Oxidative stress has been involved in adverse complications of pregnancy, and favorable course of pregnancy depends upon balance between production and clearance of ROS. Alpha 1 microglobulin (A1M) is a member of lipokalin superfamily with antioxidant and heme scavenging properties. A1M helps to maintain energy production and eliminate mitochondria generated ROS from surrounding tissue. Use of recombinant A1M demonstrated clinical improvement in preeclampsia animal models with regards to renal function and placental morphology. In the proposed study we are going to use pregnant A1M knockout (A1Mko) mouse model to study how none production of A1M affect the course and outcomes of pregnancy in this mouse model compared to age matched pregnant wild type mice (WT). We hypothesize that systemic absence of A1M leads to generalized oxidative stress and results in changes to cardiovascular, renal systems and the placenta-fetal unit which can be assessed by morphology and relevant functional tests.

Date:19 Feb 2019 →  31 Oct 2020
Keywords:A1M, pregnancy, mouse model, kidney pathology, growth restriction, oxidative stress
Disciplines:Foetal development
Project type:PhD project