Tracing Maternally Derived Molecules Across the Fetal-Maternal Interface During Gestation.

Gonzalez-Ricon, Rafael

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/114233 Copy

Description

Title

Tracing Maternally Derived Molecules Across the Fetal-Maternal Interface During Gestation.

Author(s)

Gonzalez-Ricon, Rafael

Issue Date

2022

Keyword(s)

Neuroscience

Abstract

The controlled exchange of nutrients and immune mediators between the mother and the fetus is essential for normal fetal development during pregnancy. In the context of a prenatal insult such as that generated by viral or bacterial pathogens, however, this finely regulated exchange process can be disrupted, culminating in detrimental effects on offspring development. Altered developmental trajectories in utero can have lifelong negative impacts on health and disease. Thus, it is vital that we understand how and what molecules are exchanged at the maternal-fetal interface during both homeostatic and pathological conditions. Our lab utilizes a combination of proteomic and genomic approaches to identify candidate maternally derived molecules that could be involved in disrupting fetal development during an inflammatory insult. This fluorescent image depicts a healthy mouse fetus and placenta at gestational day 16.5. Two fluorescently-conjugated biologically inert molecules, injected into maternal circulation, were used to trace transplacental trafficking. The fluorescence intensity at specific anatomical areas indicate the various degrees to which each molecule was able to perfuse those tissues. Notable is that these molecules are nearly absent from the fetal brain, indicative of a nascent but effective fetal blood-brain barrier.

Type of Resource

• Text
• Image

Language

eng

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/114233

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2022 Rafael Gonzalez-Ricon

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