Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in postmenopausal women and many clinical studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy significantly reduces the incidence of coronary heart disease in these women. A second focus in my laboratory is to determine the molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which estrogen modulates growth factor production, signal transduction and cell cycle responses in endothelial cells. Estrogen seems to maintain expression of cell cycle proteins in the cells and may protect the cells from apoptosis. Results from these studies may provide mechanistic insights into the cardioprotective effects of estrogen in premenopausal females. Vascular endothelial growth factor, placenta growth factor and their receptors in isolated human trophoblast.
Preeclampsia is associated with reduced serum levels of placenta growth factor.
Uteroplacental vascular involvement in recurrent spontaneous abortion. Signal transduction and function of PlGF in primary human trophoblast.