Michael E Fant

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an increased prevalence of birth defects and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) among infants born prematurely suggesting they share common biological determinants. The identification of key regulatory...

Background: Plac1 is an X-linked gene essential for normal placental development. Plac1 ablation is associated with placentomegaly and intrauterine growth retardation. Additionally, Plac1-null mice exhibit reduced postnatal viability. This study...

PLAC1 (Placenta-Specific 1) is a recently described, trophoblast-expressed gene essential for normal placental development. The protein localizes to the microvillus membrane surface of the syncytiotrophoblast in direct proximity to the...

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ (PPARδ) regulates a multitude of physiological processes associated with glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation, and proliferation. One or more of these processes are potential risk factors...

Plac1 is a recently identified, X-linked gene whose expression is restricted primarily to cells of the trophoblast lineage. It localizes to a chromosomal locus previously implicated in placental growth. We...

Immunoselection and tumor evasion constitutes one of the major obstacles in cancer immunotherapy. A potential solution to this problem is the development of polyvalent vaccines, and the identification of more...

Background: The human placenta, a non-neuronal tissue, contains an active cholinergic system comprised of acetylcholine (ACh), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and high affinity muscarinic receptors. The cell(s) of origin...

Background: Chan Su, a traditional Chinese medicine, is used for treating the heart diseases and other systemic illnesses. Our studies with animal model have revealed its role in increasing intracellular...