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This meeting took place in 2017
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Maternal-Fetal Crosstalk: Harmony vs. Conflict (T2)
Organizer(s) Jeffrey C. Murray, Louis J. Muglia and Yoel Sadovsky
October 4—8, 2017
Westin Washington, DC City Center • Washington, DC USA
Discounted Abstract Deadline: Jun 6, 2017
Abstract Deadline: Jul 11, 2017
Scholarship Deadline: Jun 6, 2017
Discounted Registration Deadline: Aug 10, 2017
Part of the Keystone Symposia Global Health Series, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Summary of Meeting:
The interactions between the mother and the fetus during the progression of normal pregnancy involve trade-offs, or even conflicts, between factors that improve maternal health and those that support fetal development and growth. These may lead to selective evolutionary pressures that differ among species, and result in intriguing differences in reproductive strategies that enhance maternal-fetal biological harmony, and mitigate conflict. Intriguing strategies to balance these pressures include imprinting, coincident with placentation. Adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriage, preterm birth, preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, are heterogeneous, and gaps remain in understanding how imbalances between maternal and fetal adaptations contribute to these disorders. The goal of this conference is to bring together investigators from diverse disciplines who investigate maternal and fetal factors that shape pregnancy outcomes by exploring how these systems work together or are at odds. The conference will aim to develop these concepts, illuminating developmental, genomic/epigenomic, immune, microbial and metabolic factors, as well as consider how acute exposures during pregnancy, such as infection, shape maternal-fetal outcomes. Understanding the biology underpinning these considerations will contribute to better diagnosis, treatment and disease prevention during pregnancy. The presentations will address critical gaps in our knowledge of maternal/fetal harmony and conflict, and target paths to improve understanding of issues related to social, economic and geographic inequality that predispose some groups to enhanced risk during pregnancy. A better understanding of the biology, development of new collaborative possibilities and paths to improved clinical outcomes are primary goals of the meeting.
View Scholarships/Awards
The interactions between the mother and the fetus during the progression of normal pregnancy involve trade-offs, or even conflicts, between factors that improve maternal health and those that support fetal development and growth. These may lead to selective evolutionary pressures that differ among species, and result in intriguing differences in reproductive strategies that enhance maternal-fetal biological harmony, and mitigate conflict. Intriguing strategies to balance these pressures include imprinting, coincident with placentation. Adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriage, preterm birth, preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, are heterogeneous, and gaps remain in understanding how imbalances between maternal and fetal adaptations contribute to these disorders. The goal of this conference is to bring together investigators from diverse disciplines who investigate maternal and fetal factors that shape pregnancy outcomes by exploring how these systems work together or are at odds. The conference will aim to develop these concepts, illuminating developmental, genomic/epigenomic, immune, microbial and metabolic factors, as well as consider how acute exposures during pregnancy, such as infection, shape maternal-fetal outcomes. Understanding the biology underpinning these considerations will contribute to better diagnosis, treatment and disease prevention during pregnancy. The presentations will address critical gaps in our knowledge of maternal/fetal harmony and conflict, and target paths to improve understanding of issues related to social, economic and geographic inequality that predispose some groups to enhanced risk during pregnancy. A better understanding of the biology, development of new collaborative possibilities and paths to improved clinical outcomes are primary goals of the meeting.
View Scholarships/Awards
No registration fees are used to fund entertainment or alcohol at this conference
The meeting will begin on Wednesday, October 4 with registration from 17:00 to 20:00, a joint session with Grand Challenges at 13:30 and a networking and welcome mixer at 15:30. Conference events conclude on Sunday, October 8 with a closing plenary session from 17:00 to 19:00, followed by a social hour and entertainment. We recommend return travel on Monday, October 9 in order to fully experience the meeting.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9
Conference Program Print | View meeting in 12 hr (am/pm) time
The meeting will begin on Wednesday, October 4 with registration from 17:00 to 20:00, a joint session with Grand Challenges at 13:30 and a networking and welcome mixer at 15:30. Conference events conclude on Sunday, October 8 with a closing plenary session from 17:00 to 19:00, followed by a social hour and entertainment. We recommend return travel on Monday, October 9 in order to fully experience the meeting.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4
11:00—13:00
Arrival and Registration
Name badge required for admittance to sessions at the Marriott
12:00—12:45
Transportation from the Westin to Marriott
(Shuttles leave every 15 minutes starting at 12:00 pm)
13:30—16:00
Looking Ahead - Partnering for the World We Want (Joint Session with Grand Challenges and Keystone Symposia)
MC: Kedest Tesfagiorgis, Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Introduction
Harry Bader, Acting Executive Director, U.S. Global Development Lab, United States Agency for International Development
Welcome Remarks
Mark A. Green, Administrator, United States Agency for International Development
Keystone Symposia Welcome
Diana W. Bianchi, Director, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Keynote
Bill Gates, Co-chair and Trustee, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Film Clip: Fighting Ebola: A Grand Challenge for DevelopmentSpotlight Talk
Youseph Yazdi, Executive Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation & Design
Keynote
Rex W. Tillerson, United States Secretary of State
Spotlight Talk
Claire Reid, Chief Impact Officer and Founder, Reel Gardening
Spotlight Talk
Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Director, Rice 360 Institute for Global Health
Closing Discussion
Trevor Mundel, President, Global Health Division, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Georg Schütte, State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education and Research
MC Closing
Kedest Tesfagiorgis, Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Introduction
Harry Bader, Acting Executive Director, U.S. Global Development Lab, United States Agency for International Development
Welcome Remarks
Mark A. Green, Administrator, United States Agency for International Development
Keystone Symposia Welcome
Diana W. Bianchi, Director, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Keynote
Bill Gates, Co-chair and Trustee, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Film Clip: Fighting Ebola: A Grand Challenge for DevelopmentSpotlight Talk
Youseph Yazdi, Executive Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation & Design
Keynote
Rex W. Tillerson, United States Secretary of State
Spotlight Talk
Claire Reid, Chief Impact Officer and Founder, Reel Gardening
Spotlight Talk
Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Director, Rice 360 Institute for Global Health
Closing Discussion
Trevor Mundel, President, Global Health Division, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Georg Schütte, State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education and Research
MC Closing
Kedest Tesfagiorgis, Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
16:00—17:00
Networking and Welcome Mixer with Grand Challenges and Keystone Symposia
17:00—17:45
Return Transportation from Marriott to Westin
(Shuttles leave every 15 minutes starting at 5:00 pm)
18:00—20:00
Welcome Mixer
No registration fees are used to fund alcohol served at this function.
08:30—09:30
Welcome and Keynote Address
*
Jeffrey C. Murray,
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA
David Haig,
Harvard University, USA
Maternal-Fetal Crosstalk: Why all the Noise?
Maternal-Fetal Crosstalk: Why all the Noise?
09:30—11:45
The Placenta - Cells to Tissues
*
Yoel Sadovsky,
Magee-Womens Research Institute, USA
Guillaume Cornelis,
Stanford University, USA
When the Placenta Goes Viral: Role of Transposons during Placentation
When the Placenta Goes Viral: Role of Transposons during Placentation
Coffee Break
Margherita Yayoi Turco,
University of Cambridge, UK
Modelling the Maternal-Fetal Interface in vitro
Modelling the Maternal-Fetal Interface in vitro
Susan J. Fisher,
University of California, San Francisco, USA
Genome-Scale Fluctuations in the Cytotrophoblast Epigenome over Gestation and in Placental Pathologies
Genome-Scale Fluctuations in the Cytotrophoblast Epigenome over Gestation and in Placental Pathologies
Matthew Brook,
University of Edinburgh, UK
Short Talk: PABP4 Is Critical for Mammalian Pregnancy: A Unique Mouse Model for the Maternal Origins of IUGR and Stillbirth
Short Talk: PABP4 Is Critical for Mammalian Pregnancy: A Unique Mouse Model for the Maternal Origins of IUGR and Stillbirth
14:30—16:30
Workshop 1: Immunology of Maternal-Fetal Harmony vs. Conflict
*
Susan J. Fisher,
University of California, San Francisco, USA
Rabia Anwar,
Max Delbruck Centre, Germany
Trophoblast-Specific Gene Expression Driven by Endogenous Retrovirus LTRs in Normal vs. Pre-Eclamptic (PE) Pregnancy
Trophoblast-Specific Gene Expression Driven by Endogenous Retrovirus LTRs in Normal vs. Pre-Eclamptic (PE) Pregnancy
Marilen Benner,
Radboud University Medical Center, Netherlands
Human Uterine Lymphocytes Acquire a More Experienced and Tolerogenic Phenotype during Pregnancy
Human Uterine Lymphocytes Acquire a More Experienced and Tolerogenic Phenotype during Pregnancy
Ana Claudia Zenclussen,
Experimental Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Germany
Safeguarding of Fetal Growth by Uterine Mast Cells and Uterine Natural Killer Cells
Safeguarding of Fetal Growth by Uterine Mast Cells and Uterine Natural Killer Cells
Thomas Vauvert Hviid,
Zealand University Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Immune Markers in the Mid-Luteal Endometrium Are Associated with Normal Fertility and Pregnancy after in vitro Fertilization
Immune Markers in the Mid-Luteal Endometrium Are Associated with Normal Fertility and Pregnancy after in vitro Fertilization
Michela Frascoli,
University of California, San Francisco, USA
Alloreactive Fetal T Cells Promote Uterine Contractility in Preterm Labor via IFN-γ and TNF−α
Alloreactive Fetal T Cells Promote Uterine Contractility in Preterm Labor via IFN-γ and TNF−α
Wentong Jia,
Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Association of Maternal KIR and Fetal HLA-C Genotypes with the Risk of Preeclampsia in Chinese Han Pregnant Population
Association of Maternal KIR and Fetal HLA-C Genotypes with the Risk of Preeclampsia in Chinese Han Pregnant Population
Jeremy Michael Kinder,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital, USA
Mother's 'Genetic' Little Helpers: Microchimeric Maternal Cells Promote Reproductive Fitness and Survival of Non-Inherited Traits
Mother's 'Genetic' Little Helpers: Microchimeric Maternal Cells Promote Reproductive Fitness and Survival of Non-Inherited Traits
Eun Lee,
Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
ERAP2 Modulates Trophoblast Cell Death by Natural Killer Cells
ERAP2 Modulates Trophoblast Cell Death by Natural Killer Cells
17:00—19:00
The Rapidly Evolving Placenta
*
Louis J. Muglia,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA
Derek Wildman,
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
The Placenta Is at the Crossroads of Maternal-Fetal Conflict and Cooperation
The Placenta Is at the Crossroads of Maternal-Fetal Conflict and Cooperation
Bernard J. Crespi,
Simon Fraser University, Canada
Placental Invasiveness and Maternal-Fetal Conflicts in Evolution, Health and Disease
Placental Invasiveness and Maternal-Fetal Conflicts in Evolution, Health and Disease
R. Michael Roberts,
University of Missouri, USA
Studying Early-Onset Preeclampsia (EOPE) in a Model for Early-Stage Human Placental Trophoblast
Studying Early-Onset Preeclampsia (EOPE) in a Model for Early-Stage Human Placental Trophoblast
Xu Wang,
Auburn University, USA
Short Talk: The Origin and Evolution of Genomic Imprinting in the Placenta from Comparative Genomic Analysis Across Marsupials and Eutherian Mammals
Short Talk: The Origin and Evolution of Genomic Imprinting in the Placenta from Comparative Genomic Analysis Across Marsupials and Eutherian Mammals
19:00—20:00
Social Hour with Lite Bites
No registration fees are used to fund alcohol served at this function.
08:30—11:45
The Establishment of Pregnancy - Tolerance and Rejection
*
Carole R. Mendelson,
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
Sing Sing Way,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital, USA
Maternal-Fetal Immunology during Pregnancy and after Parturition
Maternal-Fetal Immunology during Pregnancy and after Parturition
Sarah A. Robertson,
University of Adelaide, Australia
The Immune Response and Female Reproductive Quality Control
The Immune Response and Female Reproductive Quality Control
Joanna Halkias,
University of California, San Francisco, USA
Short Talk: CD161 Promotes Prenatal Immune Suppression of Pro-Inflammatory PLZF+ T Cells
Short Talk: CD161 Promotes Prenatal Immune Suppression of Pro-Inflammatory PLZF+ T Cells
Coffee Break
Moriya Gamliel,
Hebrew University, Israel
Human Natural Killer Cells Remember Pregnancy and Enhance Placental Bed Development
Human Natural Killer Cells Remember Pregnancy and Enhance Placental Bed Development
Ashley Moffett,
University of Cambridge, UK
Maternal Allo-Recognition of the Fetus: For Better, For Worse?
Maternal Allo-Recognition of the Fetus: For Better, For Worse?
Gabriela Dveksler,
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA
Short Talk: Pregnancy-Specific Glycoproteins Play a Role in Several Processes Required for Successful Human Pregnancy
Short Talk: Pregnancy-Specific Glycoproteins Play a Role in Several Processes Required for Successful Human Pregnancy
17:00—19:00
Crosstalk between the Maternal and Fetal Microbial Communities
*
Laura I. Romero,
University of Miami, USA
Idit Kosti,
University of California, San Francisco, USA
Short Talk: Meta-Analysis of Vaginal Microbiome Data Provides New Insights on Preterm Births
Short Talk: Meta-Analysis of Vaginal Microbiome Data Provides New Insights on Preterm Births
Lenore P. Pereira,
University of California, San Francisco, USA
Persistent Cytomegalovirus and Zika Virus Infection in Human Placentas Modulated by Host Antiviral Responses
Persistent Cytomegalovirus and Zika Virus Infection in Human Placentas Modulated by Host Antiviral Responses
Carolyn B. Coyne,
University of Pittsburgh, USA
Antimicrobial Signaling at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Antimicrobial Signaling at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
19:00—20:00
Social Hour with Lite Bites
No registration fees are used to fund alcohol served at this function.
08:30—11:45
Epigenetics and Imprinting in Feto-Placental Harmony and Conflict
*
Bernard J. Crespi,
Simon Fraser University, Canada
Marika Charalambous,
Queen Mary University of London, UK
Communication between Mother and Fetus Mediated by Imprinted Genes
Communication between Mother and Fetus Mediated by Imprinted Genes
Jon F. Wilkins,
Ronin Institute, USA
Canalization, Phenotype Variation and Imprinting in Complex Disease
Canalization, Phenotype Variation and Imprinting in Complex Disease
Coffee Break
Marisa S. Bartolomei,
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, USA
The Effects of Assisted Reproductive Technologies on Placental Development and Epigenetic Regulation in a Mouse Model
The Effects of Assisted Reproductive Technologies on Placental Development and Epigenetic Regulation in a Mouse Model
Madhumita Basu,
Nationwide Children's Hospital, USA
Short Talk: Epigenetic Mechanism for Gene-Environment Interaction in Maternal Hyperglycemia-Mediated Congenital Heart Defects
Short Talk: Epigenetic Mechanism for Gene-Environment Interaction in Maternal Hyperglycemia-Mediated Congenital Heart Defects
Richard Saffery,
University of Melbourne, Australia
Epigenetic Regulation of Human Placental Function and Pregnancy Outcome
Epigenetic Regulation of Human Placental Function and Pregnancy Outcome
Jyotdeep Kaur,
PGIMER, India
Short Talk: Epigenetic Mechanisms Regulate Placental Tumor Suppressor- and Onco-Genes in Normal and Pathological Pregnancies: Search for Novel Fetal DNA Epigenetic Marker
Short Talk: Epigenetic Mechanisms Regulate Placental Tumor Suppressor- and Onco-Genes in Normal and Pathological Pregnancies: Search for Novel Fetal DNA Epigenetic Marker
17:00—19:00
Genomic Communication during Pregnancy
*
Louis J. Muglia,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA
Thuy Ngo,
Oregon Health and Science University, USA
Cell-Free Circulating RNA as a Window to Feto-Placental Biology
Cell-Free Circulating RNA as a Window to Feto-Placental Biology
Yoel Sadovsky,
Magee-Womens Research Institute, USA
The Biology of Placental Exosomes and their miRNA Cargo
The Biology of Placental Exosomes and their miRNA Cargo
Nathan D. Price,
Institute for Systems Biology, USA
Systems Biology Analysis of Pregnancy Conditions
Systems Biology Analysis of Pregnancy Conditions
Terry K. Morgan,
Oregon Health & Sciences University, USA
Short Talk: High-Resolution Flow Cytometry Reveals Placental-Specific Exosomes in Postpartum Blood: Maternal-Placental Crosstalk Six Months after Delivery
Short Talk: High-Resolution Flow Cytometry Reveals Placental-Specific Exosomes in Postpartum Blood: Maternal-Placental Crosstalk Six Months after Delivery
19:00—20:00
Social Hour with Lite Bites
No registration fees are used to fund alcohol served at this function.
08:30—11:45
From Uterine Quiescence to Parturition
*
Yoel Sadovsky,
Magee-Womens Research Institute, USA
Roger Smith,
University of Newcastle, Australia
Understanding the Terminal Events in Pregnancy
Understanding the Terminal Events in Pregnancy
Sam A. Mesiano,
Case Western Reserve University, USA
Progesterone Signaling in Human Parturition: Role of Progesterone Receptor Modifications
Progesterone Signaling in Human Parturition: Role of Progesterone Receptor Modifications
Laura Sillers,
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA
Short Talk: Altered Acylcarnitine Metabolism in the Placenta in Spontaneous Preterm Birth
Short Talk: Altered Acylcarnitine Metabolism in the Placenta in Spontaneous Preterm Birth
Coffee Break
Carole R. Mendelson,
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
Fetal Signals that Control the Timing of Parturition
Fetal Signals that Control the Timing of Parturition
Caitlin Dunn-Fletcher,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA
Short Talk: Deletion of Retroviral Element THE1B Abolishes Placental Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Expression and Restores Normal Birth Timing
Short Talk: Deletion of Retroviral Element THE1B Abolishes Placental Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Expression and Restores Normal Birth Timing
Roberto Romero,
National Institutes of Health / Wayne State University, USA
Infection, Inflammation and the Transition to Labor
Infection, Inflammation and the Transition to Labor
14:30—16:30
Panel: How to Harness Basic and Translational Biology Research to Improve Pregnancy Outcome in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
A panel of experts with both high and low income country experience will explore how the exciting new findings from the biology of maternal/fetal interactions can be rapidly applied to benefit mothers and babies directly. A particular emphasis will be placed on translating high tech findings to low resource settings where the constraints of funding, expertise and training limit the opportunity to use technology to directly and quickly benefit those most in need. The panel will begin with short observations from each of the panel members regarding challenges and opportunities and then proceed with a facilitated discussion by the moderator and with input from question and observations from the audience. The goal is to identify from the conference proceedings specific opportunities that might translate to the most needy.
*
Jeffrey C. Murray,
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA
*
Yoel Sadovsky,
Magee-Womens Research Institute, USA
*
Louis J. Muglia,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA
Joe Leigh Simpson,
March of Dimes, USA
Jane Norman,
University of Edinburgh, UK
Sarah A. Robertson,
University of Adelaide, Australia
Janna Patterson,
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA
17:00—18:45
Epidemiology of Pregnancy Health and Outcomes
*
Jeffrey C. Murray,
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA
Louis J. Muglia,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA
Populations as Laboratories for Biological and Social Discovery in Pregnancy Outcomes
Populations as Laboratories for Biological and Social Discovery in Pregnancy Outcomes
Rachel Freathy,
University of Exeter, UK
Genetic and Environmental Determinants of Birth Weight and Links with Later Life Disease
Genetic and Environmental Determinants of Birth Weight and Links with Later Life Disease
18:45—19:00
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions
*
Jeffrey C. Murray,
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA
*
Louis J. Muglia,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA
*
Yoel Sadovsky,
Magee-Womens Research Institute, USA
19:00—20:00
Social Hour with Lite Bites
No registration fees are used to fund alcohol served at this function.
20:00—23:00
Entertainment
Entertainment is not subsidized by conference registration fees nor any U.S. federal government grants. Funding for this expense is provided by other revenue sources.
*Session Chair †Invited, not yet responded.
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