These autoantibodies seem to attack the placenta to cause diseases of pregnancy such as recurrent miscarriages, still births and pre-eclampsia. Exactly how these
antibodies damage the placenta is not yet clear. Antiphospholipid antibodies are
also associated with infertility. We have developed a set of monoclonal antiphospholipid
antibodies that allow us and our collaborators to investigate the mechanisms of
action of these antibodies. Current collaborators on this work include Dr V Abrahams
(dept Obstetrics and Gynaecology Yale University, USA).
Current investigations include:
- Do antiphospholipid antibodies cause trophoblast death by apoptosis or necrosis?
- Do antiphospholipid antibodies interfere in the process of phagocytosis of dead
trophoblasts?
Funding for this work was provided by:
- The Auckland Medical Research Foundation
- The New Zealand Lotteries Board (Health)
- The University of Auckland Staff Research Fund
- The Auckland Medical Aid Trust.
