- Preeclampsia
- Hemodynamic Adaptation to Pregnancy
- Trophoblast Invasion and Differentiation.
Since 2005 the importance of research topic "Preeclampsia" has increased in conjunction with our growing role as a referral center for patients at high risk to develop hypertensive complications in pregnancy. Our referral status not only led to many research questions related to preeclampsia and placental insufficiency, but also to the easy access to risk patients to be invited for participation in clinical studies. In our current clinical studies, we focus on the development of screening techniques to identify women at risk for preeclampsia and HELLP (S Sep), both before and in early pregnancy. The latter is important both for counseling and for the development of preventive strategies. In 2006 we also started a number of satellite (student) projects using a large database collected from these risk patients since 1996. Other projects in this research area approaching completion are the study of the role of plasma volume (R Aardenburg) and that of sympathetic hyperactivity in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (D Courtar).
As a consequence of the large (time/effort) investments in "preeclampsia", the studies in the area of "hemodynamic adaptation to pregnancy" have lost some importance, although the latter resulted in 2006 in the completion of one PhD thesis (O van der Heijden). Meanwhile, we are also completing basic (ex-vivo) studies using rat arteries, aimed to explore the physiologic mechanisms of vasodilatation in early pregnancy (H van Eijndhoven).
"Trophoblast Invasion and Differentiation" is our third area of interest. In 2006, we continued to develop a novel double-tissue culture system, with emphasis on the role of oxygen as a regulator (E Poliard). In spite of some delay in model development due to logistic problems and the move of prof Huppertz as an important contributor, to the University of Graz, the first paper describing the possibilities and limitations of the model has been submitted. Meanwhile, a new collaborative initiative with prof R Pijnenborg (univ. of Leuven, Belgium) in the fall of 2006, is expected to expedite the yield of this project.
Selected publications
Peeters LL, Vigne JL, Tee MK, Zhao D, Waite LL, Taylor RN.
PPARgamma represses VEGF expression in human endometrial cells: implications for uterine angiogenesis.
Angiogenesis. 2005; 8: 373-379; E-pub Jan 7, 2006
Spaanderman ME, Schippers M, van der Graaf F, Thijssen HJ, Liem IH, Peeters LL.
Subclinical signs of vascular damage relate to enhanced platelet responsiveness among nonpregnant formerly preeclamptic women.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2006; 194: 855-860
Aardenburg R, Spaanderman ME, van Eijndhoven HW, de Leeuw PW, Peeters LL.
A low plasma volume in formerly preeclamptic women predisposes to the recurrence of hypertensive complications in the next pregnancy.
J Soc Gynecol Investig 2006: 13: 598-603
Courtar DA, Spaanderman ME, Aardenburg R, Janssen BJ, Peeters LL.
Low plasma volume coincides with sympathetic hyperactivity and reduced baroreflex sensitivity in formerly preeclamptic patients.
J Soc Gynecol Investig 2006; 13: 48-52
Research group
Dr Louis Peeters, project leader
Dr Luc Smits (CAPHRI)
Prof dr Jo De Meij (CARIM)
Dr Ben Janssen (CARIM)
Prof dr Berthold Huppertz (Univ Graz, Austria)
Prof dr Brad Wouters
Dr. Willem Voncken
PhD students
Dr Olivier van der Heijden
Drs Robert Aardenburg
Drs Hugo van Eijndhoven
Drs Dorette Courtar
Drs Eline Poliard
Drs Simone Sep
Technicians
Inez Schreij
Timo Ekhart
Henny Tomlow (nurse-practionioner)
Students
T Lommerse (University Maastricht)
S Andrietti (University of Rome, Italy)