Research Output
In vivo in uterus non-invasive methods to predict placental insufficiency and adverse pregnancy outcomes in antiphospholipid syndrome
  Objectives: To use MRI-based methods to non invasively detect placental insufficiency and predict fetal outcomes in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
Methods and result: A) Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles conjugated to antibodies to complement C3 were used to detect complement activation in placentas in uterus. Injection of USPIO-conjugated antiC3 caused a significant reduction in T2*-relaxation time in placentas from APS-mice compared to control mice (Ctrl) (p<0.005), indicative of increased C3 deposition. SPIOs alone and SPIOs conjugated to control antibodies (USPIO-CtrlAb) were included as Ctrl. C3 deposition in placentas was associated with increased oxidative stress and decreased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), suggesting placental insufficiency. Increased C3 deposition in placentas in APS was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and was also associated with diminished placental and fetal weight.

  • Date:

    28 August 2014

  • Publication Status:

    Published

  • Publisher

    Elsevier BV

  • DOI:

    10.1016/j.placenta.2014.06.184

  • Cross Ref:

    S014340041400410X

  • ISSN:

    0143-4004

  • Library of Congress:

    TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering

  • Dewey Decimal Classification:

    621.38 Electronics & Communications engineering

  • Funders:

    The University of Edinburgh; Edinburgh Napier Funded

Citation

Girardi, G., Fraser, J., Bertolaccini, M. L., Lennen, R., Vontell, R., & Hutchison, G. (2014). In vivo in uterus non-invasive methods to predict placental insufficiency and adverse pregnancy outcomes in antiphospholipid syndrome. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2014.06.184

Authors

Keywords

placental insufficiency; antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)

Monthly Views:

Available Documents