Beata Tutajewska

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Genetics
• Vascular smooth muscle cell fate in spiral artery remodelling in early human pregnancy’

The original research focuses on human uterine spiral artery remodelling- a major step in the preparation for the pregnancy. These arteries are transformed into dilated vessels to provide the placenta and the fetus with necessary oxygen and nutrients. Spiral arteries compose of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), extracellular matrix and endothelial cells. However, during remodelling, the VSMCs and extracellular matrix are replaced by rigid fibrinoid tissue and extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT).  The question is what happens to the VSMCs after they are replaced? The data collected so far suggests that these cells migrate away from the vessel, then undergo apoptosis and associate with macrophages to be phagocytosed. The aim of this research project was to evaluate this hypothesis.

Funding Source: Newcastle University