Newcastle University

Reproductive & Vascular Biology

In human uterine smooth muscle cells the histone deacetylase protein HDAC8 (green) is surprisingly found outside of the nucleus (blue).

We undertake innovative scientific research aimed at understanding the molecular, cellular and tissue remodelling phenomena that occur in reproductive and vascular tissues during pregnancy.

Our overall aim is to understand the processes that facilitate an appropriate environment in utero for human fetal development.  This informs future therapeutic strategies towards improving maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancy complications such as early miscarriage, preterm birth and prolonged dysfunctional labour.

Three chief themes are pursued:

Myometrial & cervical cell signalling

We investigate the molecular pathways that change the phenotype of uterine smooth muscle cells so that co-ordinated myometrial contractions occur in a timely manner for a successful conclusion to pregnancy. We study events ranging from sub-cellular regulation of the RNA transcriptional and protein translational machinery to the impact of Ca2+ homeostasis and mechanotransduction on whole tissues.
(Europe-Finner, Tyson-Capper, Taggart, Smith, Lartey and Robson)

Endometrial and decidual cell signalling

We study the paracrine/heterocellular interactions in the endometrium and decidua/placenta  that modulate maternal blood vessel remodelling during the menstrual cycle or in early pregnancy, especially those involving uterine natural killer cells.  Cell-specific analysis of cytokine and growth factor signalling pathways is complemented by immunohistochemical analysis of endometrial/decidual spiral artery conformational changes.
(Bulmer, Searle and Robson)

Placental and Myometrial blood vessel function

We study the mechanisms by which adult (maternal) blood vessels are regulated and  remodelled  during pregnancy and how these processes differ from vessels of fetal (placental) origin.  A focus is on identifying molecules differentiating pathways of Ca2+ -dependent constriction and endothelial-dependent relaxation.
(Taggart and Robson)

Over-arching current clinical studies to improve pregnancy outcome include strategies to prevent preterm labour, e.g. progesterone supplementation (OPPTIMUM) or cervical surgery techniques (MAVRIC), and dietary/activity interventions in obese women (UPBEAT).