Antonina I. Frolova

Spatial Logic and Evolutionary Innovation in Human Placentation

The paper uses single-nucleus RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics to show how the maternal-fetal interface diverges in structure and function between the basal plate and chorionic membranes, identifying NID2 as an ancestry-associated regulator of trophoblast invasion.

Metabolic Flexibility and Energy Substrate Utilization Regulate Contractility in the Human Myometrium

This study investigates how metabolic flexibility and energy substrate utilization affect myometrial contractility in human cells, finding a shift from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis during oxytocin-induced contractions.

Effects of Maternal Obesity on Fetal Cerebral Glucose Transporter Expression

This study investigates how maternal obesity affects fetal brain glucose transporter expression and energy-sensing pathways in mice, finding altered GLUT expression without changes in key regulatory pathways.

EMMIs: Engineered Myometrial Microtissues for Direct Quantification of Oxytocin-Induced Contractility

This paper introduces EMMIs, engineered myometrial microtissues, to directly measure oxytocin-induced contractility and show that prolonged oxytocin exposure reduces contractile force.

The Sphingosine-1-phosphate pathway is differentially activated in human gestational tissues.

This study profiles S1P metabolic enzymes and receptors in human gestational tissues across pregnancy, finding tissue-specific expression and abundance patterns.

PIEZO channels link mechanical forces to uterine contractions in parturition

Deleting Piezo1 and Piezo2 together in mice weakens uterine contractions and prolongs labor; uterine and sensory-neuron deletions act additively, and knockout uteri show reduced Gja1 (connexin43).

Understanding the effects of oxytocin receptor variants on OXT-OXT receptor binding: A mathematical model

This paper develops a mathematical model to predict OXT-OXTR binding dynamics in different cell types and genetic variants, showing how dosing strategies can be optimized for personalized medicine.