Vascular biology and pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation
These disorders are important problems in clinical practice and have implications, not only for pregnancy and the neonate, but also for diseases relevant to adult life, such as ischaemic heart disease and diabetes.
Work within the department focuses mainly on the nature of the endothelial dysfunction and endothelial/neutrophil interaction that occurs in these conditions, and is complemented by a histological and structural assessment of the placenta. The role of growth factors in placental development and function and the part played by vasoregulators such as nitric oxide in both the maternal and feto-placental circulations is also under investigation.