# Genomic Consequences of Estrogen Receptor Activation in the Cervix

> **NIH NIH R01** · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $243,000

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The single most effective predictor of preterm birth is the state of cervix upon presentation with
symptoms of preterm labor. The mechanisms underlying physiological cervical ripening at term
are largely unknown, and the causes of preterm cervical dilation are even more elusive. Our
laboratory, together with complementary expertise in genomic and molecular analysis, has
expanded its long-term strength in the biology and physiology of human parturition to include a
more integrated approach to delve deeply into the molecular transcriptional and genomic
mechanisms that underpin the physiology of normal labor at term and the pathophysiology of
preterm birth. Here, we propose (i) to determine if ER antagonists block preterm cervical
ripening and labor, (ii) to explore the global effects of PR- and ER-mediated signaling pathways
in human cervical epithelial and stromal cells and the cellular mechanisms by which PRs inhibit
ER-mediated signaling, and (iii) to determine the role of ER-mediated signaling pathways in
cervical ripening and dilation in vivo.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9963049
- **Project number:** 5R01HD087324-04
- **Recipient organization:** UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** RUTH A WORD
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $243,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-15 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9963049

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9963049, Genomic Consequences of Estrogen Receptor Activation in the Cervix (5R01HD087324-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9963049. Licensed CC0.

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