Koushik Mondal

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT KOUSHIK MONDAL

I am exploring placental development and ways of preventing placental dysfunction, which leads to pregnancy complications in both humans and livestock worldwide. I am also researching the role of a progesterone receptor commonly seen in the development of cancerous breast tumors, as placental development actually shares several similarities with how tumors form. My research aims to help women experience successful pregnancies. Our research lab is relying on sheep, which experience similar placental development to humans. Using animals, we also explore ways of helping livestock carry out successful pregnancies and help avoid future health problems in both humans and animals. The offspring that result from placental dysfunction are at increased risk for Type-2 diabetes, obesity, stroke and cardiovascular disease during adulthood. All of these health problems have some correlation with how well that placenta formed and functioned in utero. Impaired placental function leads to dangerous pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, placental abruption, and stillbirth. To improve human health, it is imperative to elucidate the mechanisms causing impaired placental development. The chemokine, CXCL12 (L12) regulates several processes central to the development of the placenta (placentation) such as stimulating cell proliferation and migration, vascularization, immune cell recruitment and cytokine production through direct actions on fetal trophoblast and maternal endometrial and immune cells. These essential functions are elicited via L12 activating its two receptors, CXCR4 and/or CXCR7. L12-mediated signaling is strongly implicated in placental dysfunction and specifically preeclampsia etiology. To determine how to maintain placental health, we are referring to cancer studies to figure out how cells function in the placenta. Our lab is mainly focused on the CXCR4 receptor, a receptor commonly seen in various types of cancers. We are also focused on an FDA-approved compound called AMD3100, which acts as an antagonist to inhibit the CXCR4 receptor’s functions. We are using the same compound to inhibit the receptor in sheep during the time the placenta is forming to try and determine the role this particular receptor is playing. This receptor plays important roles in vascularization, immune cell recruitment, and a lot of things that are important in how the placenta forms. Thus, my research highlights the critical connection between agriculture and human health in the context of placental dysfunction.