Vikki M Abrahams, PhD
Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences; Director, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences; Co-Vice Chair of Faculty Development, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Research Summary
Dr Abrahams' research focuses on understanding the role of innate immune Toll-like receptor and Nod-like receptor family members in placental and maternal-fetal immune responses, and their role in regulating pregnancy outcome, including those complicated by infections and by autoimmune diseases. Studies from the Abrahams laboratory characterizes the mechanisms by which Toll-like receptors, Nod-like receptors, and the inflammasome function in the placental trophoblast and fetal membranes in response to both infectious and non-infectious stimuli.
Coauthors
Research Interests
Autoimmune Diseases; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture; Immunity, Innate; Placenta; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy in Diabetics; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; MicroRNAs; Toll-Like Receptors; Nod Signaling Adaptor Proteins; Exosomes; Inflammasomes
Selected Publications
- Decidualization dampens toll-like receptor mediated inflammatory responses in human endometrial stromal cells by upregulating IκBαTong M, Scott J, Whirledge S, Abrahams V. Decidualization dampens toll-like receptor mediated inflammatory responses in human endometrial stromal cells by upregulating IκBα. Journal Of Reproductive Immunology 2023, 159: 103988. PMID: 37451159, PMCID: PMC10530124, DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103988.
- Endometrial responses to bacterial and viral infection: a scoping review.Lindsay C, Potter J, Grimshaw A, Abrahams V, Tong M. Endometrial responses to bacterial and viral infection: a scoping review. Human Reproduction Update 2023, 29: 675-693. PMID: 37290428, PMCID: PMC10477945, DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad013.
- Cell-free fetal DNA impairs trophoblast migration in a TLR9-dependent manner and can be reversed by hydroxychloroquineLeón-Martínez D, Lynn T, Abrahams V. Cell-free fetal DNA impairs trophoblast migration in a TLR9-dependent manner and can be reversed by hydroxychloroquine. Journal Of Reproductive Immunology 2023, 157: 103945. PMID: 37062109, DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103945.
- Distinct non‐coding RNA cargo of extracellular vesicles from M1 and M2 human primary macrophagesPantazi P, Clements T, Venø M, Abrahams V, Holder B. Distinct non‐coding RNA cargo of extracellular vesicles from M1 and M2 human primary macrophages. Journal Of Extracellular Vesicles 2022, 11: 12293. PMID: 36544271, PMCID: PMC9772496, DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12293.
- The serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine induces human fetal membrane sterile inflammation through p38 MAPK activationFabrizio V, Lindsay C, Wilcox M, Hong S, Lynn T, Norwitz E, Yonkers K, Abrahams V. The serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine induces human fetal membrane sterile inflammation through p38 MAPK activation. Journal Of Reproductive Immunology 2022, 155: 103786. PMID: 36528909, PMCID: PMC9851981, DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103786.
- Placental macrophage responses to viral and bacterial ligands and the influence of fetal sexPantazi P, Kaforou M, Tang Z, Abrahams V, McArdle A, Guller S, Holder B. Placental macrophage responses to viral and bacterial ligands and the influence of fetal sex. IScience 2022, 25: 105653. PMID: 36505933, PMCID: PMC9732417, DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105653.
- Editorial: Translational Virology in PregnancyWaldorf K, Abrahams V. Editorial: Translational Virology in Pregnancy. Frontiers In Virology 2022, 2: 908471. PMID: 36313916, PMCID: PMC9611285, DOI: 10.3389/fviro.2022.908471.
- Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Human Fetal Membranes Induce Neutrophil Activation and Release of Vital Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.Tong M, Potter JA, Mor G, Abrahams VM. Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Human Fetal Membranes Induce Neutrophil Activation and Release of Vital Neutrophil Extracellular Traps. The Journal Of Immunology 2019, 203: 500-510. PMID: 31167775, PMCID: PMC6616008, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900262.
- Role of NOD2 in antiphospholipid antibody-induced and bacterial MDP amplification of trophoblast inflammationMulla MJ, Pasternak MC, Salmon JE, Chamley LW, Abrahams VM. Role of NOD2 in antiphospholipid antibody-induced and bacterial MDP amplification of trophoblast inflammation. Journal Of Autoimmunity 2018, 98: 103-112. PMID: 30594350, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.12.003.
- Antiphospholipid Antibodies Inhibit Trophoblast Toll‐Like Receptor and Inflammasome Negative RegulatorsMulla MJ, Weel IC, Potter JA, Gysler SM, Salmon JE, Peraçoli MTS, Rothlin CV, Chamley LW, Abrahams VM. Antiphospholipid Antibodies Inhibit Trophoblast Toll‐Like Receptor and Inflammasome Negative Regulators. Arthritis & Rheumatology 2018, 70: 891-902. PMID: 29342502, PMCID: PMC5984662, DOI: 10.1002/art.40416.
- Viral Infection Sensitizes Human Fetal Membranes to Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide by MERTK Inhibition and Inflammasome Activation.Cross SN, Potter JA, Aldo P, Kwon JY, Pitruzzello M, Tong M, Guller S, Rothlin CV, Mor G, Abrahams VM. Viral Infection Sensitizes Human Fetal Membranes to Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide by MERTK Inhibition and Inflammasome Activation. The Journal Of Immunology 2017, 199: 2885-2895. PMID: 28916522, PMCID: PMC5659726, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700870.
- Mechanisms of Antiphospholipid Antibody-Mediated Pregnancy MorbiditySalmon J, Mineo C, Giles I, Chamley L, Meroni P, Abrahams V. Mechanisms of Antiphospholipid Antibody-Mediated Pregnancy Morbidity. 2017, 117-143. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-55442-6_6.
- Antiphospholipid antibody-induced miR-146a-3p drives trophoblast interleukin-8 secretion through activation of Toll-like receptor 8.Gysler SM, Mulla MJ, Guerra M, Brosens JJ, Salmon JE, Chamley LW, Abrahams VM. Antiphospholipid antibody-induced miR-146a-3p drives trophoblast interleukin-8 secretion through activation of Toll-like receptor 8. Molecular Human Reproduction 2016, 22: 465-74. PMID: 27029214, PMCID: PMC4941806, DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaw027.
- Interferon-alpha and angiogenic dysregulation in pregnant lupus patients destined for preeclampsiaAndrade D, Kim M, Blanco L, Karumanchi S, Koo G, Redecha P, Kirou K, Alvarez A, Mulla M, Crow M, Abrahams V, Kaplan M, Salmon J. Interferon-alpha and angiogenic dysregulation in pregnant lupus patients destined for preeclampsia. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2014, 16: a28. PMCID: PMC4179538, DOI: 10.1186/ar4644.
- Single- and double-stranded viral RNA generate distinct cytokine and antiviral responses in human fetal membranesBakaysa SL, Potter JA, Hoang M, Han CS, Guller S, Norwitz ER, Abrahams VM. Single- and double-stranded viral RNA generate distinct cytokine and antiviral responses in human fetal membranes. Molecular Human Reproduction 2014, 20: 701-708. PMID: 24723465, PMCID: PMC4072183, DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau028.
- Human Fetal Membranes Generate Distinct Cytokine Profiles in Response to Bacterial Toll-Like Receptor and Nod-Like Receptor Agonists1Hoang M, Potter JA, Gysler SM, Han CS, Guller S, Norwitz ER, Abrahams VM. Human Fetal Membranes Generate Distinct Cytokine Profiles in Response to Bacterial Toll-Like Receptor and Nod-Like Receptor Agonists1. Biology Of Reproduction 2014, 90: 39, 1-9. PMID: 24429216, PMCID: PMC4076407, DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.115428.
- A Role for Uric Acid and the Nalp3 Inflammasome in Antiphospholipid Antibody-Induced IL-1β Production by Human First Trimester TrophoblastMulla MJ, Salmon JE, Chamley LW, Brosens JJ, Boeras CM, Kavathas PB, Abrahams VM. A Role for Uric Acid and the Nalp3 Inflammasome in Antiphospholipid Antibody-Induced IL-1β Production by Human First Trimester Trophoblast. PLOS ONE 2013, 8: e65237. PMID: 23762324, PMCID: PMC3675211, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065237.
- Nod1, but not the ASC inflammasome, contributes to induction of IL-1β secretion in human trophoblasts after sensing of Chlamydia trachomatisKavathas PB, Boeras CM, Mulla MJ, Abrahams VM. Nod1, but not the ASC inflammasome, contributes to induction of IL-1β secretion in human trophoblasts after sensing of Chlamydia trachomatis. Mucosal Immunology 2012, 6: 235-243. PMID: 22763410, PMCID: PMC3465624, DOI: 10.1038/mi.2012.63.
- What is the Mechanism(s) of Antiphospholipid Antibody-Mediated Pregnancy Morbidity?Abrahams V, Borghi M, Meroni P, Rand J, Raschi E, Salmon J, Tedesco F, Tincani A. What is the Mechanism(s) of Antiphospholipid Antibody-Mediated Pregnancy Morbidity? 2012, 79-101. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-3194-7_5.
- Nod1 Activation by Bacterial iE-DAP Induces Maternal–Fetal Inflammation and Preterm LaborCardenas I, Mulla MJ, Myrtolli K, Sfakianaki AK, Norwitz ER, Tadesse S, Guller S, Abrahams VM. Nod1 Activation by Bacterial iE-DAP Induces Maternal–Fetal Inflammation and Preterm Labor. The Journal Of Immunology 2011, 187: 980-986. PMID: 21677137, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1100578.
- Antiphospholipid antibodies limit trophoblast migration by reducing IL‐6 production and STAT3 activityMulla M, Myrtolli K, Brosens J, Chamley L, Kwak‐Kim J, Paidas M, Abrahams V. Antiphospholipid antibodies limit trophoblast migration by reducing IL‐6 production and STAT3 activity. American Journal Of Reproductive Immunology 2010, 65: 88-88. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00957.x.
- Chapter 6 The Immunology of PregnancyMor G, Abrahams V. Chapter 6 The Immunology of Pregnancy. 2009, 87-99. DOI: 10.1016/b978-1-4160-4224-2.50008-9.
- Pre‐eclampsia is associated with dendritic cell recruitment into the uterine deciduaHuang S, Chen C, Schatz F, Rahman M, Abrahams V, Lockwood C. Pre‐eclampsia is associated with dendritic cell recruitment into the uterine decidua. The Journal Of Pathology 2008, 214: 328-336. PMID: 18069648, DOI: 10.1002/path.2257.
- Trophoblast Cells as Immune RegulatorsMor G, Abrahams V. Trophoblast Cells as Immune Regulators. 2006, 215-228. PMCID: PMC7120375, DOI: 10.1007/0-387-34944-8_19.
- Toll-Like Receptors and PregnancyAbrahams V, Mor G. Toll-Like Receptors and Pregnancy. 2006, 15-25. DOI: 10.1007/0-387-34944-8_2.
- Macrophages and PregnancyMor G, Romero R, Abrahams V. Macrophages and Pregnancy. 2006, 63-72. DOI: 10.1007/0-387-34944-8_6.
- Induction of tumor necrosis factor α production by adhered human monocytes: A key role for Fcγ receptor type IIIA in rheumatoid arthritisAbrahams V, Cambridge G, Lydyard P, Edwards J. Induction of tumor necrosis factor α production by adhered human monocytes: A key role for Fcγ receptor type IIIA in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatism 2000, 43: 608-616. PMID: 10728755, DOI: 10.1002/1529-0131(200003)43:3<608::aid-anr18>3.0.co;2-g.