Bird published in Journal of Molecular Endocrinology

Congratulations to Ian Bird, PhD, professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences, who published a new study in the Journal of Molecular Endocrinology!

Bird and postdoctoral scholar Luca Clemente, PhD, published “The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Healthy Pregnancy and Preeclampsia”, which consider evidence for the possibility that the endothelial dysfunction observed in preeclampsia might in some cases result from elevation of endothelial epidermal growth factor receptor (EFGR):

“During pregnancy, trophoblasts are known to synthesize large amounts of EGFR protein, and the placenta regularly releases syncytiotrophoblast (STB)-derived exosomes and microparticles into the maternal circulation. Although there are no reports of elevated Egfr gene expression in preeclamptic endothelial cells, the ongoing shedding of placental vesicles into the vascular system raises the possibility that EGFR-rich vesicles might be taken up by the endothelium, thereby contributing to the symptoms of PE by interrupting angiogenesis and blocking pregnancy adapted vasodilatory function.”

Incredible work, Dr. Bird and Dr. Clemente! Read the whole study here