# Investigation of the renin-angiotensin system at the maternal-fetal interface.

> **NIH NIH R01** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $493,409

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
There is evidence from human and animal studies that support that imbalance in the renin-angiotensin system
(RAS), specifically reduced ACE2 protein levels and/or activity, leads to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
Mouse dams and concepti with loss-of-function alleles of ACE2 exhibit increased embryonic loss, reduced fetal
weight, placental hypoxia, and preeclampsia-like phenotypes in dams. While the RAS has been extensively
studied in the kidney and circulation, much less is known about the local uterine and placental RAS early in
pregnancy and if their disruption contributes to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Our proposed collaborative
project will address this need, drawing on my expertise in embryo transfer techniques. The main objective of this
innovative application is to test the hypothesis that ACE2 plays a local role at the maternal-fetal interface
modulating normal placental development and fetal growth independent of the maternal circulating and kidney
RAS. To test this hypothesis, we will conduct in-depth morphological phenotyping, novel RAS protein analyses,
and blood pressure monitoring by radiotelemetry to determine the cell-specific contributions of ACE2 in the
placenta (Aim 1) and decidua (Aim 2). These experiments will elucidate the function of the RAS that are relevant
to idiopathic pregnancy loss and pregnancy complications. Given the known differences between mouse and
human placentas, we will also determine RAS gene expression, protein abundance and localization in rhesus
macaque placentas, which are more structurally similar to human (Aim 3). The Aims outlined in this application
will provide extensive information for the field by improving understanding of the basic RAS function in utero-
placental development during pregnancy. Determining the causes of pregnancy loss, and pregnancy
complications would greatly improve human health, reducing the associated physiological, psychological, and
economic burdens and help us shape advances in maternal-fetal medicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10936239
- **Project number:** 1R01HD115535-01
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Lisa Anne Vrooman
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $493,409
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-16 → 2029-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10936239

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10936239, Investigation of the renin-angiotensin system at the maternal-fetal interface. (1R01HD115535-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10936239. Licensed CC0.

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