The role of placental exosomes as mediators of programming during obese diabetic pregnancies

Summary

It is well-established that obesity and gestational diabetes during pregnancy has short- and long- term detrimental impacts on both maternal and offspring health. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms mediating these effects are not fully understood. The placenta is the interface between mother and fetus, integrating signals between the two.

One means of communication is through the release of placental extra-cellular vesicles (EVs). These are small membrane bound organelles that contain proteins, metabolites and RNA including miRNAs. Placental EV content is regulated in response to the maternal environment and therefore could mediate some of the known detrimental effects of obesity and gestational diabetes on maternal and offspring health.

Project aims

This project will explore the underlying mechanisms by which changes in placental EV content can have immediate and long- term effects on maternal and offspring metabolism.

The project will involve:

1. Profiling of the protein and miRNA content of placental EVs isolated from lean and obese murine pregnancies.
2. A combination of in vitro and in vivo experiments to establish the functional consequences of the changes in placental EV protein and miRNA content.
3. Labelling of placental EVs to identify the target tissues with which they fuse.

Contact details

Professor Susan Ozanne - seo10@cam.ac.uk

Opportunities

This project is open to applicants who want to do a:

• PhD