Resource Support Core (RSC)

RESEARCH SERVICES CORE SUMMARY Research Services Core (RSC) capitalizes on expertise from several departments at UMMC and on well- established animal models of preeclampsia (PE) that were developed and characterized by UMMC investigators. There is strong synergy between projects since all projects utilize the same animal models and projects are examining common pathophysiological pathways and phenotypic endpoints. This Core will provide project investigators with access to state-of-the-art equipment and the expertise needed to explore various aspects of the role of inflammation in the development of hypertension and neurovascular dysfunction in PE. RSC will provide centralized facilities, equipment, personnel, and services that will be extensively used and are vital to the success of all the projects in this program. Jan Williams, PhD will serve as the Core Director assisted by Richard Roman, PhD, as Associate Core Director. The RSC is divided into 3 subcores: 1)Animal; 2) Vascular Function; 3)ImmunoBiology. The Animal SubCore will supply centralized services and personnel for rigorous and reproducible surgical procedures to generate the clinically relevant and well-established models of PE including the Reduced Uterine Perfusion Pressure (RUPP) rat model of placental ischemia using Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, and Nude Athymic (rnu/rnu) rats, measure renal function and blood pressure, characterize male and female differences in cardiovascular function of offspring, and assess cognitive decline in pregnant postpartum models of PE and in the offspring in order to better understand sex differences observed in offspring of women with PE. The Vascular SubCore will provide state-of-the-art equipment and the expertise needed to explore various aspects of systemic and organ-specific hemodynamic parameters, assess endothelial function and vascular reactivity, in vivo vascular imaging, in vivo and ex vivo neurovascular characterization, in vitro molecular and cellular imaging and respiration analysis, proteomics, and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species quantification. The Immunobiology SubCore will establish standardized immunology-based protocols for, measuring immune cell and cytokine levels in plasma and various tissues, measure angiotensin receptor autoantibody levels using a cardiomyocyte contraction assay, and provide histological slide preparation, staining, visualization and quantification. Core personnel will provide expert assistance in developing new assays and training of SCORE personnel including graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research technicians ESIs and pilot project PIs in standardized protocols, data analysis and interpretation of results, and use of Core equipment and analytical tools for all projects.