Vikki M Abrahams, PhD
Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive SciencesDownloadHi-Res Photo
Cards
Appointments
Additional Titles
Director, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Co-Vice Chair of Faculty Development, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Contact Info
Appointments
Additional Titles
Director, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Co-Vice Chair of Faculty Development, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Contact Info
Appointments
Additional Titles
Director, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Co-Vice Chair of Faculty Development, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Contact Info
About
Copy Link
Titles
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
Biography
Dr Vikki Abrahams is a Professor, Director of the Division of Reproductive Sciences and Co-Vice Chair of Faculty Development in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences.
Dr Abrahams received her B.Sc. (hons) in Immunology in 1996, and was awarded a Ph.D. in Immunology in 2000, both from University College London. She continued her studies as a postdoctoral associate at Dartmouth Medical School and then at Yale University in the field of Reproductive Immunology. In 2004 she joined the faculty in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine.
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 has characterized 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.
Dr Abrahams is a member of the American Association of Immunologists, International Society for Immunology of Reproduction, Society for Reproductive Investigation, and the American Society of Reproductive Immunology. Dr Abrahams is the Associate Editor for Reviews of the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology and also serves on the editorial boards for a number of other journals within the Reproductive Sciences field.
Last Updated on January 07, 2024.
Appointments
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Abrahams Lab
- Discovery to Cure Internship
- Human and Translational Immunology Program
- Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
- Perinatal Research
- Reproductive Sciences
- Yale WRHR Advisory Committee
Education & Training
- PhD
- University College (2000)
Research
Copy Link
Overview
Medical Research Interests
Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Autoimmune Diseases; Exosomes; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture; Immunity, Innate; Inflammasomes; MicroRNAs; Nod Signaling Adaptor Proteins; Placenta; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy in Diabetics; Toll-Like Receptors
ORCID
0000-0003-4995-1061
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Vikki M Abrahams's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Vikki M Abrahams's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Vikki M Abrahams is interested in exploring.
Mancy Tong, PhD
Seth Guller, PhD
Crina Boeras
Alyssa Ann Grimshaw, MBA, MLIS, MPH
Antariksh Tyagi, PhD
Kimberly Yonkers, MD
36Publications
1,112Citations
Inflammasomes
Antibodies, Antiphospholipid
Antiphospholipid Syndrome
MicroRNAs
Placenta
Toll-Like Receptors
Publications
2025
LET-7b-5b DRIVES A PRO-MIGRATORY AND ANTI-ANGIOGENIC PHENOTYPE IN FIRST TRIMESTER TROPHOBLAST CELLS THROUGH TLR7 AND TLR8 ACTIVATION
Siegel E, Esencan E, Kishchanka A, Garcia-Milian R, Tyagi A, Abrahams V, Pal L. LET-7b-5b DRIVES A PRO-MIGRATORY AND ANTI-ANGIOGENIC PHENOTYPE IN FIRST TRIMESTER TROPHOBLAST CELLS THROUGH TLR7 AND TLR8 ACTIVATION. Fertility And Sterility 2025, 124: e53-e54. DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2025.07.209.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchExtracellular Vesicles From M1 and M2 Macrophages Elicit Sexually Dimorphic Responses in the Human Placenta
Pantazi P, Clements T, Sahota S, Parsons H, Bennett P, Guller S, Abrahams V, Holder B. Extracellular Vesicles From M1 and M2 Macrophages Elicit Sexually Dimorphic Responses in the Human Placenta. Placenta 2025, 171: e235-e236. DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2025.08.024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchA role for TLR7 activation by miR-146a-3p in antiphospholipid antibody-induced trophoblast IL-8 and inflammasome-mediated IL-1β production
Salmeron L, Hidalgo T, Lynn T, Jones D, Chamley L, Abrahams V. A role for TLR7 activation by miR-146a-3p in antiphospholipid antibody-induced trophoblast IL-8 and inflammasome-mediated IL-1β production. Journal Of Reproductive Immunology 2025, 172: 104652. PMID: 41014738, DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2025.104652.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsMiR-146a-3pExpression of miR-146a-3pMiR-29aLet-7bMiR-21aTLR8 inhibitorMiRsObstetric antiphospholipid syndromeTLR7 inhibitorsAntiphospholipid syndromeIL-8 secretionToll-like receptorsIL-8IL-1BHuman first trimester trophoblast cell lineFirst trimester trophoblast cell lineActivation of Toll-like receptorsTrimester trophoblast cell lineTrophoblast cell lineMicroRNAsInnate immune mechanismsAntiphospholipid antibodiesPregnancy complicationsIntermediate Signaling Mechanisms Regulating Human Fetal Membrane Responses to Gram‐Positive Bacterial Peptidoglycan
Georges H, Fischer A, Abrahams V. Intermediate Signaling Mechanisms Regulating Human Fetal Membrane Responses to Gram‐Positive Bacterial Peptidoglycan. American Journal Of Reproductive Immunology 2025, 93: e70090. PMID: 40435036, PMCID: PMC12124414, DOI: 10.1111/aji.70090.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsToll-like receptorsPro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1bFetal membrane explantsHuman FM explantsPathogenesis of chorioamnionitisP65-NFkBResponse to Gram-positive bacteriaP38 MAPKElevated levelsTLR2 agonist peptidoglycanCytokines IL-1bChemokine IL-8FM explantsNeonatal morbidityPreterm birthStimulation of TLR4Fetal membranesMembrane weakeningIL-1BIL-8TLR7/8 activationMembrane explantsSecreted factorsERK signalingLipopolysaccharide stimulationBuprenorphine induces human fetal membrane sterile inflammation
Lynn T, Kelleher M, Georges H, McCauley E, Logan R, Yonkers K, Abrahams V. Buprenorphine induces human fetal membrane sterile inflammation. Journal Of Reproductive Immunology 2025, 168: 104445. PMID: 39914058, PMCID: PMC11890952, DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2025.104445.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsOpioid-use disorderPreterm birthToll-like receptor 4Prostaglandin E2Sterile inflammationRate of preterm birthAssociated with pregnancy complicationsInnate immune toll-like receptor 4Maternal-fetal interfaceNeutrophil chemokine IL-8Induce sterile inflammationM-opioid receptorCytokines IL-1bInflammatory cytokines IL-6Chemokine IL-8Cytokines IL-6Maternal morbidityPregnancy complicationsOpioid useOpioid-usersHuman FMInflammatory profileMembrane weakeningIL-1BPreterm
2024
Predictors of Inflammation-Mediated Preterm Birth
Georges H, Norwitz E, Abrahams V. Predictors of Inflammation-Mediated Preterm Birth. Physiology 2024, 40: 26-36. PMID: 39106300, PMCID: PMC11918307, DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00022.2024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricAntiphospholipid-exposed trophoblast-derived extracellular vesicles express elevated levels of TLR7/8-activating microRNAs and induce endometrial endothelial activation, in part, through TLR7
Coenen C, Hidalgo T, Lynn T, Jones D, Salmon J, Chamley L, Abrahams V. Antiphospholipid-exposed trophoblast-derived extracellular vesicles express elevated levels of TLR7/8-activating microRNAs and induce endometrial endothelial activation, in part, through TLR7. Journal Of Reproductive Immunology 2024, 164: 104255. PMID: 38797133, DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104255.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsHuman endometrial endothelial cellsObstetric antiphospholipid syndromeToll-like receptor 4MiR-146a-3pMaternal-fetal interfaceAntiphospholipid syndromeIL-8 responseEndometrial endothelial cellsTrophoblast cellsExtracellular vesiclesElevated levels of IL-8IL-8Endothelial cellsLevels of IL-8Activation of Toll-like receptor 4Downstream of toll-like receptor 4Exposure to aPLElevated levelsExtravillous trophoblast cellsHuman trophoblast cellsInsufficient placentationTrophoblast-derived extracellular vesiclesAntiphospholipid antibodiesMaternal vasculaturePlacental trophoblastsTLR8‐activating miR‐146a‐3p is an intermediate signal contributing to fetal membrane inflammation in response to bacterial LPS
Georges H, Cassin C, Tong M, Abrahams V. TLR8‐activating miR‐146a‐3p is an intermediate signal contributing to fetal membrane inflammation in response to bacterial LPS. Immunology 2024, 172: 577-587. PMID: 38631842, PMCID: PMC11223956, DOI: 10.1111/imm.13794.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsMiR-146a-3pPreterm birthFetal membranesToll-like receptorsExpression of miR-146a-3pLipopolysaccharide exposureMouse model of pregnancyIL-8Response to bacterial LPSAssociated with chorioamnionitisFetal membrane inflammationHuman FM explantsMouse fetal membranesInduced preterm birthBacterial lipopolysaccharideMaternal-fetal interfaceDanger signalsWild-type miceIn Vivo Mouse ModelModel of pregnancyInterleukin (IL)-8Pro-inflammatory roleResponse to bacterial lipopolysaccharideAssociated with elevated levelsResponse to LPS
2023
Decidualization dampens toll-like receptor mediated inflammatory responses in human endometrial stromal cells by upregulating IκBα
Tong 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.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsEndometrial stromal cellsInflammatory responseStromal cellsHuman endometrial stromal cellsToll-like receptor signalingSex hormone levelsMenstrual cycle stageToll-like receptorsImmune response changesViral double-stranded RNAHuman EnSCsEndometrial responseProinflammatory cytokinesSuccessful pregnancyMenstrual cycleHuman endometriumHormone levelsMajor cell typesImmune responseNFκB p65Viral infectionDecidualizationBacterial lipopolysaccharideReceptor signalingBacterial componentsEndometrial 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.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsEndometrial responseViral infectionUterus/endometriumFull-text studiesInnate immune sensingInnate immune responseFree-text termsEmbase/MedlineIntrauterine infectionObstetric complicationsEndometrial productionCochrane LibraryFuture studiesImplantation failureNeisseria gonorrheaImmune cellsMost infectionsImmune responseUterine functionChlamydia trachomatisAnimal modelsImmune sensingEndometriumZika virusMajority of studies
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Copy Link
Activities
activity American Society for Reproductive Immunology
05/01/2000 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsMemberactivity American Association of Immunologists
2009 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsMemberactivity Associate Editor for Reviews for the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology
07/01/2010 - PresentCommitteesMemberactivity Editorial Board for the Journal of Reproductive Immunology
07/01/2006 - PresentCommitteesMemberactivity The International Society for Immunology of Reproduction
07/01/2011 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsMember
Honors
honor American Journal of Reproductive Immunology Award
06/15/2019National AwardAmerican Society for Reproductive ImmunologyDetailsUnited Stateshonor NIH Senior Lectureship
09/02/2017International AwardInternational Federation of Placental AssociationsDetailsUnited Kingdomhonor J. Christian Herr Award for Excellence in Reproductive Immunology Research
06/01/2013National AwardAmerican Society for Reproductive ImmunologyDetailsUnited Stateshonor The Harold Behrman Award for mentoring students, residents and fellows
06/03/2011Yale School of Medicine AwardDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale UniversityDetailsUnited States
News & Links
Copy Link
News
- February 11, 2025
Why Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) May Contribute to Preterm Birth
- May 16, 2023
Women’s Health Research at Yale Funds Studies to Improve Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer, Treatment of Prenatal Infections, and Aortic Aneurysm Outcomes in Women
- April 13, 2023
Research Adds Insights Into Preeclampsia, a Deadly Pregnancy Complication
- December 14, 2022Source: Yale News
Inflammation May Explain Antidepressants’ Link to Preterm Birth
Get In Touch
Copy Link