Expertises

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss; immunology; HLA; biomarkers; microbiome; 

Main research areas

My main research interest is immunology in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL). RPL is defined as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses, and affects approximately 1-3% of couples trying to have a child. RPL seriously impact the life of the affected with an increased prevalence of stress and major depression. It is associated with immune-genetic markers, autoimmunity and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in later life suggesting a shared background.

My PhD project explores the hypothesis that RPL is caused by maternal immunity against paternally inherited antigens resulting in fetal rejection. 

Current research

The PhD study focuses on:

Study 1: HLA-mismatches: The importance of HLA differences across the maternal-fetal interface for pregnancy outcome in women with unexplained secondary recurrent pregnancy loss.

Study 2: Biomarkers: Immune regulation measured by s-LAIR-1 and LAIR-2 and pregnancy outcome in women with unexplained secondary recurrent pregnancy loss.

Study 3: The microbiome: Characterization of the microbiome in women with RPL, the interaction with the maternal immune system and pregnancy outcome. 

Potential conflicts of interest

None