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FRISC: The Faculty Research Interests Science Comparator |
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Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Cell Biology
Immunology
Office: (214) 648-8670
FAX: (214) 648-8683
Email: Judith.Head@email.swmed.edu
The research in this laboratory focuses on two different aspects of mammalian
reproduction. The first relates to the complex interaction that occurs between maternal
and fetal tissues at the implantation site in the absence of immunologic rejection
responses. In the uterus during pregnancy, there is a redistribution of leukocytes, and
large numbers of a particular type of lymphocyte, natural killer (NK) cells, accumulate in
maternal tissue near the implanting conceptus and maternal blood vessels. Although highly
activated, these cells cause no damage to fetal or placental tissues, and it is believed
they promote placental growth. These cells are being characterized in rodent models and
compared with prototypic NK cells to determine their place within the NK lineage. The
factors controlling the differentiation of these cells along a particular pathway are
being sought in the specialized maternal tissue (decidua), with current focus on the roles
of IL-15, prolactin-related proteins, prostaglandins, and migration inhibitory factor.
Control of the immigration of NK cells into the uterus is also being addressed. The second
area of interest is the function of the fetal membranes in human pregnancy, particularly
related to maintenance of structural integrity and the prevention of premature rupture.
Studies include assessing amnion cell numbers and characteristics, including apoptosis,
and epithelial cell and mesenchymal cell functions in membranes prone to rupture compared
with tissues from normal pregnancies. Also of interest is the mechanism of leukocyte
migration through the fetal membranes and factors controlling that process during
pregnancy complications associated with chorioamnionitis. As a member of a research team,
this laboratory also performs localization procedures (immunohistochemistry and in situ
hybridization) for various peptides, factors, and enzymes involved in placental and
uterine function.
Selected Publications:
Head, JR, Casey, ML, and MacDonald, PC (1998) Structure of the human amnion: A new
perspective on mesenchymal cell/epithelial cell interactions. J.Soc.Gynecol.Invest.
5 (suppl):72-73A (abstract).
Morimoto, T, Head JR, MacDonald, PC, and Casey, ML (1998) Thrombospondin-1 expression
in human myometrium before and during pregnancy, before and during labor, and in human
myometrial cells in culture. Biol. Reprod. 59:862-870.
Liang, LL and Head, JR (1997) Gene expression of cytokines relevant to natural killer
cell differentiation in mouse uterus during pregnancy. J. Reprod. Immunol. 34:56
(Abstract)
Head, JR (1996) Uterine natural killer cells during pregnancy in rodents. Natural
Immunity 15:7-21.
Head, JR, Kresge, CK, Young, JD, and Hiserodt, JC (1994) NKR-P1 +
cells in the rat uterus: Granulated metrial gland cells are of the natural killer cell
lineage. Biol. Reprod. 51:509-523.
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Last updated: 17 Nov 2000
Extraction Method: Expand using Medical Synonyms-
Eliminated words list: MedlinePlus List
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Similarity Method: Weighted keyword count
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Database: Medline abstracts (1967 - Present)
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Publication Type: All
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Score Calculation Method: Cosine Similarity Method
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Results computed on: 6/9/2006