Nathan Campbell, PhD
D4+ T Cells in Neurovascular Dysfunction & Hypertension After Preeclampsia
Abstract
During pregnancy, women can develop a disease called preeclampsia (PE) that is characterized by new-onset hypertension, chronic inflammation, activated B cells secreting autoantibodies that active the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-AA), fetal growth restriction, and increased postpartum risk for disease for both mother and child. We have shown that CD4+ T helper cells are crucial in causing B cell activation, AT1-AA production, and a PE phenotype. AT1-AA exposure during pregnancy causes neurological complications for postpartum animals and cardiovascular complications for offspring as adults. The frequency of PE has increased in the last 20 years, but there has been no change in the standard of care in the last 50 years; therefore, there is an urgent need to find new therapies for these women. This proposal aims to test a novel therapeutic that targets AT1-AA to improve maternal outcomes and reduce the postpartum risks of the disease for women who had PE and their children.
I am incredibly honored to receive a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Translational Medicine from the PhRMA Foundation. Support for my training allows me the opportunity to expand my skills and receive the mentorship necessary to become an independent investigator.
