Determining the Role of Glucose Utilization in Immune Cell Function at the Maternal Fetal Interface

Pregnancy complications including fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and preterm birth are linked to both placental inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, yet treatment options remain limited due to gaps in understanding the complex interactions between immune and metabolic processes at the maternal-fetal interface. This proposal investigates how glucose metabolism influences immune cell function at the maternal-fetal interface across normal pregnancy. Using single-cell flow cytometry, transcriptomics, and metabolomics assays, we will assess energy pathway utilization and metabolic phenotypes of immune cells during each trimester of pregnancy. Findings from this study will clarify how immune and metabolic networks coordinate during normal pregnancy and may provide insight into novel pathways to develop targeted therapeutics for pregnancy complications.