Ruby Gutierrez (Dr.med. candidate)

Daniel Fabig (Dr.med. candidate)

Yvonne Heimann (M.Sc. Molecular Medicine candidate)

Priska Elisabeth Streicher (M.Sc. Molecular Life Sciences candidate)

• Ospina-Prieto S, Chaiwangyen W, Herrmann J, Groten T, Schleussner E, Markert UR, Morales-Prieto DM. MicroRNA-141 is up-regulated in preeclamptic placentae and regulates trophoblast invasion and intercellular communication. Transl Res. 2016 Jun; 172:61-72.
• Chaiwangyen W, Ospina-Prieto S, Photini SM, Schleussner E, Markert UR, Morales-Prieto DM. Dissimilar microRNA-21 functions and targets in trophoblastic cell lines of different origin. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2015 Nov; 68:187-96.
• Schmidt A, Morales-Prieto DM, Pastuschek J, Fröhlich K, Markert UR. Only humans have human placentas: molecular differences between mice and humans. J. Reprod. Immunol. 108 (2015) 65–71.
• Morales-Prieto DM, Ospina-Prieto S, Schmidt A, Chaiwangyen W, Markert UR. Elsevier Trophoblast Research Award Lecture: Origin, evolution and future of placenta miRNAs. Placenta. 2014 Feb; 35 Suppl:S39-45.
• Morales-Prieto DM, Ospina-Prieto S, Chaiwangyen W, Schoenleben M, Markert UR. Pregnancy specific miRNA-Clusters. J Reprod Immunol. 2013 Mar; 97(1):51.
• Morales-Prieto DM, Chaiwangyen W, Ospina-Prieto S, Schneider U, Herrmann J, Gruhn B, Markert UR. MicroRNA expression profiles of trophoblastic cells. Placenta. 2012 Sep;33(9):725-34
• Morales Prieto DM, Markert UR. MicroRNAs in pregnancy. Journal of Reproductive Immunology. J Reprod Immunol. 2011 Mar;88(2):106-11

• Effects of physiological and pathological trophoblast-derived extracellular vesicles on the blood-brain-barrier and microglia

  Summary

  During pregnancy, biochemical and structural changes in the brain adapt maternal physiology and behavior to ensure offspring survival. Remarkably, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern these processes and how they are influenced by pregnancy pathologies. Placental cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the maternal blood as a mechanism of maternal-fetal communication. Although evidence shows that placental EVs mediate immune tolerance and cardiovascular adaptations in the maternal organism, their functions in the nervous system remains to be investigated. We hypothesize that placental EVs induce changes in the blood brain barrier (BBB) and modulate microglia cell responses. Moreover, these EVs may be the missing link between the placenta and neurologic manifestations of pre-eclampsia. A 3D BBB model in a microfluidic biochip will be employed to investigate BBB structure and properties under the effects of healthy and pre-eclamptic placental EVs. Additionally, mechanisms of placental EV uptake by microglia cells and their activation will be investigated. This proposal strengths a new research field in our group focused on understanding the biological mechanisms involved in the communication between placenta and brain in normal and pathological human pregnancies.

• Kommunikation zwischen fetalen Trophoblastzellen und mütterlichen Immunzellen durch Freisetzung plazentare miRNA transportierender extrazellulärer Vesikel (EVs) in physiologischen und pathologischen Situationen.

    Forschungsprojekt. 2016-2019. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG.

• Funktionelle Analyse von MicroRNAs der schwangerschaftsassoziierten MicroRNA Cluster C19MC und C14MC in Trophoblastzellen mit Bezug auf ihre mögliche Beteilung an Plazentationsstörungen.

    Forschungsprojekt. 2014-2016. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG.

• Elsevier Trophoblast Research New Investigator Award.

    Preis. 2012. International Federation of Placenta Associations (IFPA).

• John Gusdon Memorial New Investigator Award.

    Preis. 2012. American Society for Reproductive Immunology (ASRI) and European Society for Reproductive Immunology (ESRI).

• Short Term Grant for foreign PhD candidates.

    Stipendium. 2011-2012. Friedrich Schiller University. Jena, Germany.

• Graduate Academy PhD Scholarship.

    Stipendium. 2008-2011. Friedrich Schiller University. Jena, Germany.

• Travel allowance for an international internship.

    Stipendium. 2006. Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds