Influence of environmental chemicals on the innate immune system and consequences for vascular diseases and allergies

Research Topic

The profound understanding of the mechanisms underlying a successful pregnancy and an optimal fetal development is of crucial importance. The unrestricted intrauterine development is not only important for the survival of our specie, it is the fundament of adult health and diseases. A very important process during early pregnancy is the remodeling of the maternal spiral arteries (SAs) that transport maternal blood to the intervillous space of the placenta so to provide essential nutrients and oxygen for the fetus. This important process is regulated by cells of the innate immune system present at the feto-maternal interface. Inadequate remodeling can also cause miscarriage, preeclampsia, preterm birth, or intrauterine growth retardation.

Our previous studies demonstrated that man-made endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), present in our environment, negatively influence SA remodeling. In human, hypertensive disorders often arise from an insufficient SA remodeling process and a role for environmental chemicals herein has been proposed based on epidemiological observations.

Our research goal is to understand the mechanisms underlying SA remodeling with special emphasis on the putative effect of environmental chemicals directly or indirectly via immune cells. Moreover, we aim to understand if the negative impact of EDCs in pregnancy affects the progeny. With this, we hope to contribute to the global understanding of the consequences of employing man-made chemicals.

Team

Working Group Leader

Team members

PD Dr. Mario Bauer

Dr. Paula Sophie Reichelt

Federica Romanelli

Xiaoya He

Verena Mailänder

Beate Fink

Stefan Zantop Linares

Projects supported by third-party funds

Other fundings