Vikki M Abrahams, PhD
Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences; Director, Division of Reproductive Sciences, 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
- Nod1 activation by bacterial iE-DAP induces maternal-fetal inflammation and preterm labor.Cardenas 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. Journal Of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) 2011, 187: 980-6. PMID: 21677137, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1100578.
- A role for uric acid and the Nalp3 inflammasome in antiphospholipid antibody-induced IL-1β production by human first trimester trophoblast.Mulla 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 trachomatis.Kavathas 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 2013, 6: 235-43. PMID: 22763410, PMCID: PMC3465624, DOI: 10.1038/mi.2012.63.
- Single- and double-stranded viral RNA generate distinct cytokine and antiviral responses in human fetal membranes.Bakaysa 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: 701-8. 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 agonists.Hoang 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 agonists. Biology Of Reproduction 2014, 90: 39. PMID: 24429216, PMCID: PMC4076407, DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.115428.
- 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.
- 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. Journal Of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) 2017, 199: 2885-2895. PMID: 28916522, PMCID: PMC5659726, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700870.
- Antiphospholipid Antibodies Inhibit Trophoblast Toll-Like Receptor and Inflammasome Negative Regulators.Mulla 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 (Hoboken, N.J.) 2018, 70: 891-902. PMID: 29342502, PMCID: PMC5984662, DOI: 10.1002/art.40416.
- Role of NOD2 in antiphospholipid antibody-induced and bacterial MDP amplification of trophoblast inflammation.Mulla 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 2019, 98: 103-112. PMID: 30594350, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.12.003.
- 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. Journal Of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) 2019, 203: 500-510. PMID: 31167775, PMCID: PMC6616008, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900262.