Antophospholipid antibodies in recurrent miscarriage

Larry Chamley, Peter Stone

Antiphospholipid antibodies interfere with the normal function of blood vessels by causing a narrowing or irregularity of blood vessels, or blood clots in the blood vessels. These antibodies cause stillbirths, recurrent miscarriages and infertility, but the exact mechanism through which this occurs is not yet known.

Dr Larry Chamley and his researchers are investigating how antiphospholipid antibodies might cause recurrent miscarriages and infertility, and have shown that these antibodies can disrupt placental cells called trophoblasts. Trophoblasts are the main cell of the placenta, and must function in a very precise fashion to allow the placenta to implant in the wall of the uterus. In collaboration with researchers from the University of Liverpool (UK) and Yale (USA), Dr Chamley is now investigating the molecular pathways by which antiphospholipid antibodies disrupt trophoblasts. The aim is to develop enhanced therapies for women with these antibodies that will enable them to carry a pregnancy to term.

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