Endometrial Causes of Unexplained Pregnancy Loss
Dr. Ruth Lathi, Stanford University School of Medicine
Dr. Ruth Lathi, is a reproductive endocrinologist at the Stanford University School of Medicine. She is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director of the Multi-specialty Recurrent Pregnancy Loss program, and the Program Director of the REI Fellowship. Dr. Lathi has a special interest in treating recurrent pregnancy loss, the role of preimplantation genetic diagnosis in the treatment of reproductive disorders, and the prognostic value and utility of genetic testing of miscarriage tissues, and long-term outcomes of fertility treatments. (Link)
Research Gift
$8,000
Project Description
Endometrial factors contributing to recurrent miscarriage remain poorly defined and represent a promising area of research within the field.
Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that important for cell-to-cell communication. Notch signaling plays a role in tissue homeostasis and repair. Studies in mouse models suggest endometrial Notch signaling through the transcription factor RBPJ facilitates embryo implantation and uterine repair following pregnancy. Small studies in women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss revealed decreased expression of RBPJ.
This study aims to determine Notch pathway mRNA and protein expression levels in the decidua of women with and without recurrent miscarriage. This will provide insight as to whether Notch signaling is dysregulated within the endometrium at the time of miscarriage and if it is dysregulated in the setting of recurrent miscarriage.