Progenitor cells in screening for preeclampsia

Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Wilfried Gyselaers, Researcher: Prof. Dr. JL. Rummens

Preeclampsia is a disease occurring during pregnancy with potential health risks for the mother and the unborn child. The cause of this disease is not known but it is accompanied by damage to blood vessel walls. As a result of this damage endothelial cells enter the circulation. In addition, progenitor cells derived from bone marrow,  also enter the bloodstream to restore this damage.

In this study, the techniques to (1) detect endothelial progenitor cells, and, (2) characterize and (3) quantifying them will be set-up by using blood samples of pregnant women with or without preeclampsia symptoms.