Welcome to the
Edlow Lab
We use animal models and human samples to evaluate the impact of maternal immune activation on fetoplacental development and offspring outcomes
What we do
Andrea Edlow, MD, MSc, is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Harvard Medical School and a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she is the Vice Chair of Research for the Department of OB/Gyn.
The Edlow laboratory investigates the effects of maternal immune activation on fetal brain development and offspring behavior, and how these effects are modified by placental immune alterations and fetal sex.
Our work focuses on pre-clinical models of maternal metabolic disease, and translational work with human samples reflecting maternal COVID-19 infection and maternal vaccination in pregnancy.
Our lab was one of the first to use amniotic fluid supernatant and umbilical cord blood to investigate real-time fetal brain development in obese human pregnancy. Gene expression profiling of these two biofluids identified abnormal gene expression signatures in fetuses of obese women, highlighting dysregulated brain development and increased inflammation.
Using a validated mouse model of maternal diet-induced obesity, we have demonstrated significant sex differences in the impact of maternal obesity on embryonic brain development, dopamine and catecholamine neurotransmitter signaling, and offspring reward-based eating and neurobehavior (social and anxiety-like behavior, executive function, and cognition).
We also study maternal diet composition during pregnancy and lactation and how this influences in utero brain development and offspring behavior.
Ultimately, we anticipate this work will provide targets for a lifestyle/behavioral intervention, and possibly for prenatal therapies that could be given orally to obese pregnant women, to reverse or ameliorate deleterious structural and functional changes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our lab pivoted to expand our focus to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy. Partnering with a multi-disciplinary team, we have worked across the Mass General Brigham system to establish one of the largest COVID-19 Pregnancy Biorepositories in the country (over 1200 participants enrolled). Through these generously-provided samples, we have generated key insights into maternal and placental immune response, vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and placental antibody transfer.
When COVID-19 vaccines became available, we were one of the first groups to study pregnant and lactating individuals’ antibody response, and the transplacental and breastmilk antibody transfer to neonates. Knowledge gained from this work was critical in informing policy statements from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and other national governing bodies, regarding COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy and lactation.
Research Areas
Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection: implications for pregnant individuals, placentas, and the developing fetus, and longer-term impact on children
Pregnancy-specific immune responses and vaccination in pregnancy
Maternal metabolic disease and offspring brain and placenta programming
See our team in action!
Location
Edlow Lab is located at the heart of Boston at the Massachusetts General Hospital, overlooking Charles River. We are minutes away from some of Boston’s most famous attractions, and whether it is a walk on the scenic Esplanade or a stroll towards historic Boston Common and Downtown, there are things to do on your own or with friends!
Click on the buttons below to find out about more attractions around Boston as well as some of the local foodie destinations!