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Changing lives for babies and children.

Dr Thaya Ramaesh

Project: Role of Kisspeptin and glucocorticoids in placental function and fetal development.(Thaya’s work builds on research conducted by former Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory Investigator, Dr Anne Armstrong and Dr James Logie).Normal placental development and function, and fetal growth are critical for a successful pregnancy. Placental dysfunction is known to be a major cause of pregnancy complications, such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR and pre-eclampsia. One important part of placental development and fetal growth is the formation of an adequat vascular system via vasculogenesis (de novo formation of blood vessels from precursor cell) and angiogenesis or neovascularisation (new blood vessels formation from pre-existing vessels). Angiogenic and angiostatic moleculesreleased by accessory cells control neovascularisation, notably the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells, theirmorphogenetic differentiation into capillary structures and the concurrent remodelling of the extracellular matrix.Under physiological conditions, such as placental and fetal development, these steps are tightly regulated, and loss of such regulation is an important feature of several pathologies.Kisspeptin (KP), a neuropeptide, is known to play a role in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion and to inhibit tumourmetastasis. KP and its receptor, the GPR54 have been detected in the brain and in several peripheral tissues, includin the placenta. Circulating kisspeptin levels rise dramatically during pregnancy. Decreased serum levels of kisspeptin in early pregnancy are associated with IUGR and pre-eclampsia. In vitro, kisspeptin inhibits the migration and invasion of trophoblast cells, and it is postulated that KP plays a key role in implantation and subsequent placental development.

Poster presentations
1. Kisspeptin inhibits key stages of angiogenesis in vitro.
Thaya Ramaesh, James J Logie, Simon C Riley, Robert P Millar, Brian R Walker, Patrick WF Hadoke and Rebecca M Reynolds.
Cardiovascular seminar, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute. June 2009.
2. Kisspeptin inhibits key stages of angiogenesis in vitro.
Thaya Ramaesh, James J Logie, Simon C Riley, Robert P Millar, Brian R Walker, Patrick WF Hadoke and Rebecca M Reynolds.
The Queen’s Medical Research Institute Open Day, October 2009.

Abstract in preparation
Effects of kisspeptin on key stages of angiogenesis, Scottish Cardiovascular Forum, February 2010.

Manuscript in preparation
The effects of Kisspeptin-10 on angiogenesis: an in vitro and ex vivo study.



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