Linking the mother's immune system to heart function during pre-eclampsia

Linking the maternal immune system to cardiac function during preeclampsia (Dr Alice Christensen)

Pre-eclampsia is a common condition that occurs during pregnancy. It is a leading cause of death in mothers and unborn babies worldwide. Women with pre-eclampsia have abnormal heart function during pregnancy and a high risk of developing heart and circulatory disease later in life. Abnormal changes to the mother’s immune system are known to be a factor in the onset of pre-eclampsia. Dr Suchita Nadkarni of Queen Mary University London studies immune cells called neutrophils. She has evidence to suggest that neutrophils may play a key role in the heart dysfunction observed in women with pre-eclampsia. Dr Nadkarni will lead a clinical observational study to find out more about the link between the maternal immune system, particularly the neutrophils, and heart function during pre-eclampsia. Imaging techniques will be used to assess the heart function of women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia during and after pregnancy. The women’s immune systems will be assessed by analysing the immune cells circulating in the bloodstream. The immune systems and hearts of mice will also be studied to investigate the exact biological process by which neutrophils can impact heart health during pregnancy. This research could help to identify new targets for medication and therapies to improve the heart health of women with pre-eclampsia during and after pregnancy.