Ashley Moffett

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Ashley Moffett, is a Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge specialising in Reproductive Immunology, [1] and a fellow of King's College, Cambridge. [2] She became a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2015, and a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2019. [3] [4]

Contents

Career

Moffett has been at the forefront of research into the immunology of trophoblast invasion and its role in placentation for over 25 years. [3] Her main areas of research currently are into interactions between maternal Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) and fetal HLA-C molecules, the culture of human trophoblast cells and the link between KIR/HLA-C variants to pre-eclampsia, puerperal sepsis and obstructed labour. [1] She leads the maternal health scheme as part of the Wellcome Trust Centre for Global Health Research.

Her research has shown that women with pre-eclampsia have differences in genes involved in cell communication, to women without pre-eclampsia. These genes are involved in chemical signalling between placenta trophoblast cells and natural killer immune cells. [5]

In 2018, Moffet was a lead researcher of a team that developed miniature versions of placentas outside the body. These artificial placenta organoids provide an additional tool for research into placental development and the effects of hormones, drugs, and infection such as Zika virus. [6]

She has also led work in mapping characteristics of individual cells at the interface of the placenta and the uterus. This work revealed how these cells communicate and modulate the mother's immune response during the first trimester of pregnancy. Trophoblast cells of the placenta were found to be important in facilitating blood flow to the uterus. [7]

Moffett has come out strongly against the use of immune-suppressive drugs as a means of preventing miscarriage, commenting, "That's a very attractive idea, but it's actually not correct. But it's become firmly embedded and it's extremely hard to dislodge it, even among scientists." [8] Also, in relation to pregnancy, she has stated that pre-eclampsia, often experienced by African women, is impossible to predict or prevent. "Even when it is detected the only course of action is constant monitoring, and ultimately the only cure is delivery – sometimes at too early a stage for the baby to survive." [9]

Alongside her research, Moffett has also been involved in public engagement work. In 2019 she gave a talk on fetal rejection at the Cambridge Science Festival. [10]

Awards and honours

Selected works

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Placenta</span> Organ that connects the fetus to the uterine wall

The placenta is a temporary embryonic and later fetal organ that begins developing from the blastocyst shortly after implantation. It plays critical roles in facilitating nutrient, gas and waste exchange between the physically separate maternal and fetal circulations, and is an important endocrine organ, producing hormones that regulate both maternal and fetal physiology during pregnancy. The placenta connects to the fetus via the umbilical cord, and on the opposite aspect to the maternal uterus in a species-dependent manner. In humans, a thin layer of maternal decidual (endometrial) tissue comes away with the placenta when it is expelled from the uterus following birth. Placentas are a defining characteristic of placental mammals, but are also found in marsupials and some non-mammals with varying levels of development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pre-eclampsia</span> Hypertension occurring during pregnancy

Pre-eclampsia is a multi-system disorder specific to pregnancy, characterized by the onset of high blood pressure and often a significant amount of protein in the urine. When it arises, the condition begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy. In severe cases of the disease there may be red blood cell breakdown, a low blood platelet count, impaired liver function, kidney dysfunction, swelling, shortness of breath due to fluid in the lungs, or visual disturbances. Pre-eclampsia increases the risk of undesirable as well as lethal outcomes for both the mother and the fetus including preterm labor. If left untreated, it may result in seizures at which point it is known as eclampsia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gestational hypertension</span> Medical condition

Gestational hypertension or pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is the development of new hypertension in a pregnant woman after 20 weeks' gestation without the presence of protein in the urine or other signs of pre-eclampsia. Gestational hypertension is defined as having a blood pressure greater than 140/90 on two occasions at least 6 hours apart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trophoblast</span> Early embryonic structure that gives rise to the placenta

The trophoblast is the outer layer of cells of the blastocyst. Trophoblasts are present four days after fertilization in humans. They provide nutrients to the embryo and develop into a large part of the placenta. They form during the first stage of pregnancy and are the first cells to differentiate from the fertilized egg to become extraembryonic structures that do not directly contribute to the embryo. After blastulation, the trophoblast is contiguous with the ectoderm of the embryo and is referred to as the trophectoderm. After the first differentiation, the cells in the human embryo lose their totipotency because they can no longer form a trophoblast. They become pluripotent stem cells.

Gestational choriocarcinoma is a form of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, which is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), that can occur during pregnancy. It is a rare disease where the trophoblast, a layer of cells surrounding the blastocyst, undergoes abnormal developments, leading to trophoblastic tumors. The choriocarcinoma can metastasize to other organs, including the lungs, kidney, and liver. The amount and degree of choriocarcinoma spread to other parts of the body can vary greatly from person to person.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Decidua</span> Part of uterus modified in pregnancy

The decidua is the modified mucosal lining of the uterus that forms every month, in preparation for pregnancy. It is shed off each month when there is no fertilised egg to support. The decidua is under the influence of progesterone. Endometrial cells become highly characteristic. The decidua forms the maternal part of the placenta and remains for the duration of the pregnancy. After birth the decidua is shed together with the placenta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Implantation (embryology)</span> First stage of pregnancy

Implantation, also known as nidation, is the stage in the embryonic development of mammals in which the blastocyst hatches, attaches, adheres, and invades into the wall of the female's uterus. Implantation is the first stage of gestation, and, when successful, the female is considered to be pregnant. An implanted embryo is detected by the presence of increased levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a pregnancy test. The implanted embryo will receive oxygen and nutrients in order to grow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HLA-G</span>

HLA-G histocompatibility antigen, class I, G, also known as human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HLA-G gene.

Reproductive immunology refers to a field of medicine that studies interactions between the immune system and components related to the reproductive system, such as maternal immune tolerance towards the fetus, or immunological interactions across the blood-testis barrier. The concept has been used by fertility clinics to explain fertility problems, recurrent miscarriages and pregnancy complications observed when this state of immunological tolerance is not successfully achieved. Immunological therapy is a method for treating many cases of previously "unexplained infertility" or recurrent miscarriage.

Immune tolerance in pregnancy or maternal immune tolerance is the immune tolerance shown towards the fetus and placenta during pregnancy. This tolerance counters the immune response that would normally result in the rejection of something foreign in the body, as can happen in cases of spontaneous abortion. It is studied within the field of reproductive immunology.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to obstetrics:

Hormonal regulation occurs at every stage of development. A milieu of hormones simultaneously affects development of the fetus during embryogenesis and the mother, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone (P4).

<i>The Compatibility Gene</i> 2013 book by Daniel M. Davis

The Compatibility Gene is a 2013 book about the discovery of the mechanism of compatibility in the human immune system by the English professor of immunology, Daniel M. Davis. It describes the history of immunology with the discovery of the principle of graft rejection by Peter Medawar in the 1950s, and the way the body distinguishes self from not-self via natural killer cells. The compatibility mechanism contributes also to the success of pregnancy by helping the placenta to form, and may play a role in mate selection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muzlifah Haniffa</span> Malaysian dermatologist and immunologist

Muzlifah Haniffa is a Malaysian dermatologist and immunologist who focuses on the development of the immune system and the use of single-cell techniques to understand biology. Haniffa is a professor and Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University.

James Steel Scott was a Scottish obstetrician and gynaecologist who was a pioneer in the field of reproductive immunology. He was Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Leeds from 1961 to 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uterine natural killer cells</span> Maternal lymphocytes that make up 70% of the total found during pregnancy

Uterine natural killer cells make up approximately 70% of maternal lymphocytes during pregnancy, occupying both the decidua basalis of the endometrium at the implantation site and the mesometrial lymphoid aggregate of pregnancy (MLAp) that surrounds the blood vessels supplying the placenta. This number is at its peak in early pregnancy but declines at parturition.

Vikki Martyne Abrahams is an English–American reproductive immunologist. She is a full professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the Yale School of Medicine. Her 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.

Extravillous trophoblasts(EVTs), are one form of differentiated trophoblast cells of the placenta. They are invasive mesenchymal cells which function to establish critical tissue connection in the developing placental-uterine interface. EVTs derive from progenitor cytotrophoblasts (CYTs), as does the other main trophoblast subtype, syncytiotrophoblast (SYN). They are sometimes called intermediate trophoblast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy Chappell</span> British obstetrician and gynaecologist, researcher and chief executive officer

Lucy Chappell is a British professor of obstetrics at King’s College London and the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) for the UK Department of Health and Social Care. As part of her CSA role, she oversees the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) as Chief Executive Officer. Her research areas include medical problems during pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia, and the safety of medicines in pregnancy.

Annettee Olivia Nakimuli is a Ugandan obstetrician, gynecologist, medical researcher, academic and academic administrator. Since 17 February 2021, she serves as the Dean of Makerere University School of Medicine, the oldest medical school in East Africa. She concurrently serves as the Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the same medical school, a role she has served in since 2016. She is also the President of the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

References

  1. 1 2 "Professor Ashley Moffett — Department of Pathology". www.path.cam.ac.uk. 30 October 2014.
  2. ↑ "Professor Ashley Moffett". King's College, Cambridge. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Professor Ashley Moffett, England". Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists.
  4. 1 2 "New Fellows: 50 top biomedical and health scientists join the Academy | The Academy of Medical Sciences". acmedsci.ac.uk. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  5. ↑ "Clue to pregnancy disorder found". 11 October 2004. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  6. ↑ Sample, Ian (28 November 2018). "Lab-grown placentas 'will transform pregnancy research'". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  7. ↑ Turvill, Theo (3 December 2018). "'Nature' publishes research into effects of pregnancy on the body". The Courier. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  8. ↑ Johnston, Ian (15 May 2016). "Fertility watchdog 'increasingly concerned' about dubious treatments sold by private clinics as experts warn childless couples are being exploited". Independent. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  9. ↑ "Researchers explore why pre-eclampsia is more common in women of African descent". Medical press. 16 February 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  10. ↑ Spencer, Alex (11 February 2019). "Cambridge Science Festival bookings open". Cambridge Independent. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  11. ↑ "Professors Nuno Costa-Borges, Ashley Moffett and Manuel Tena-Sempere, and the journalists Sonsoles Echavarren and Pilar Arranz, received awards for their contributions to reproductive medicine". IVI UK. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  12. ↑ "Ashley Moffett to receive honorary doctorate at Karolinska Institutet". King's College Cambridge. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
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