Recurrent miscarriage is the loss of
three or more consecutive pregnancies prior to
14 weeks of gestation. This devastating condition affects approximately 1% of women
but unfortunately in most cases the causes of recurrent miscarriage are unknown.
We have collected a bank of placental bed biopsies in order to investigate potential
markers that could explain why recurrent miscarriages occur. The placental bed is
the uterine (maternal) side of the materno-fetal interface into which fetal cells
of the
placenta grow to attach the placenta to the uterus. So far we have examined
the expression of approximately 40 potential pathological markers in the placental
bed biopsies.
These markers include factors such as maternal immune cells which
might attack the placenta, antiphospholipid antibodies, major histocompatibility
antigens (transplantation markers) and cannabinoid regulating enzymes. We are continuing
to examine additional markers.
Photomicrograph of an immunohistochemistry slide of the placental bed show a lymphocyte
aggregate. Tcells are stained red, nuclei are stained blue. Bar =50um. (From Askelund
et al. 2004)
Funding for this work was provided by:
- Health Research Council of New Zealand
- The Evelyn Bond Trust (ADHB)
- The New Zealand Lotteries Board (Health)
- The University of Auckland Staff Research Fund
