Overview
Background
Dr Cuffe is a systems physiologist focused on understanding the complex changes to maternal physiology that occur during pregnancy and the impact of pregnancy dysfunction of programmed cardiovascular, metabolic and renal disease in offspring. Dr Cuffe has a particular focus on understanding the role of the placenta and its hormones in mediating both maternal and offspring disease. He is most recognised for his research investigating how maternal stress, thyroid dysfunction, hypoxia or altered nutrition affect placental development and program disease in the mother after pregnancy as well as her offspring. Dr Cuffe has an exceptional track record and is excited to take new honours and PhD students into his research laboratory.
Availability
- Dr James Cuffe is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Placental regulation of pregnancy disorders
The placenta modulates almost every aspect of human physiology during pregnancy and it is the least understood of all human organs. It is known that placental dysfunction contributes to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, stillbirth, preterm birth and fetal growth restriction and yet the mechanisms responsible are largely unknown. Much of my work focuses on understanding what goes wrong in the placenta to cause such poor outcomes in pregnancy.
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Understanding the impact of thyroid disorders on pregnancy outcomes
Given that thyroid disorders impact 1 in 20 women, it is essential to understand the links between these disorders and poor outcomes in pregnancy. In particular, I want to understand how targeting novel factors may ensure a healthy start to life for babies born to women with a thyroid disorder
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Effects of maternal adversity on offspring physiology
I am interested in understanding how stress, hypoxia or other causes of adversity during pregnancy can impair placental function and induce fetal growth restriction. Given that fetal growth restriction is associated with a range of adult onset diseases, I explore the link between these maternal factors and offspring cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological and renal dysfunction.
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Understanding the role of poorly understood nutrients in pregnancy health and fetal development
We must obtain a large number of micronutrients in our diet to ensure optimal health. The requirements for many of these micronutrients increase in pregnancy as the placenta actively transports these nutrients to the baby where they are required for essential biological processes or to provide the building blocks of life. This can mean that micronutrient deficiencies can become problematic at a time that the human body is undergoing the most significant changes to its physiology that occur during its lifetime. My research focuses on understand the key biological roles of such micronutrients in pregnancy which may better inform nutrient requirements to ensure a healthy pregnancy. I am currently most interested in understanding the roles of selenium and vitamin B12 in pregnancy in relation to poor pregnancy outcomes and long term disease in offspring.
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Understanding the impact of metformin on placental formation
Metformin is frontline medication used for management of endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus and polycystic ovary syndrome. Furthermore, it is one of only two treatments used to manage gestational diabetes. Metformin is known to induce its effects by impacting multiple pathways however, how it impacts maternal and fetal physiology in pregnancy is largely unknown. I am currently looking at how metformin impacts placental development and if some of the benefits of this drug are due to changes in placental function.
Works
Search Professor James Cuffe’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Sex-Specific Changes to Brain Fatty Acids, Plasmalogen, and Plasma Endocannabinoids in Offspring Exposed to Maternal and Postnatal High-Linoleic-Acid Diets
Ezechukwu, Henry C., Ney, Luke J., Jarvis, Madeline A., Shrestha, Nirajan, Holland, Olivia J., Cuffe, James S. M., Perkins, Anthony V., Yau, Suk-Yu, McAinch, Andrew J. and Hryciw, Deanne H. (2024). Sex-Specific Changes to Brain Fatty Acids, Plasmalogen, and Plasma Endocannabinoids in Offspring Exposed to Maternal and Postnatal High-Linoleic-Acid Diets. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25 (14) 7911, 7911. doi: 10.3390/ijms25147911
2024
Journal Article
Maternal Diet High in Linoleic Acid Alters Renal Branching Morphogenesis and mTOR/AKT Signalling Genes in Rat Fetal Kidneys
McClelland, Connie, Holland, Olivia J., Shrestha, Nirajan, Jukes, Claire L., Brandon, Anna E., Cuffe, James S. M., Perkins, Anthony V., McAinch, Andrew J. and Hryciw, Deanne H. (2024). Maternal Diet High in Linoleic Acid Alters Renal Branching Morphogenesis and mTOR/AKT Signalling Genes in Rat Fetal Kidneys. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25 (9) 4688, 4688. doi: 10.3390/ijms25094688
2024
Journal Article
Sowing the seeds of stress: maternal exposure to synthetic glucocorticoids impacts sperm miRNA for generations
Burgess, D. J. and Cuffe, J. S. M. (2024). Sowing the seeds of stress: maternal exposure to synthetic glucocorticoids impacts sperm miRNA for generations. The Journal of Physiology, 602 (9), 1875-1876. doi: 10.1113/jp286280
2024
Journal Article
Maternal diet high in linoleic acid alters offspring lipids and hepatic regulators of lipid metabolism in an adolescent rat model
Shrestha, Nirajan, Sleep, Simone L., Holland, Olivia J., Vidimce, Josif, Bulmer, Andrew C., Cuffe, James S. M., Perkins, Anthony V., McAinch, Andrew J. and Hryciw, Deanne H. (2024). Maternal diet high in linoleic acid alters offspring lipids and hepatic regulators of lipid metabolism in an adolescent rat model. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25 (2) 1129, 1-11. doi: 10.3390/ijms25021129
2023
Conference Publication
Thyroglobulin antibodies impair fertility and litter parameters and impact fetal survival in a rodent model of autoimmune thyroiditis
Brady, Rebecca, Kent, Nykola, Reid, Anna, Zimmerman, Dayna and Cuffe, James (2023). Thyroglobulin antibodies impair fertility and litter parameters and impact fetal survival in a rodent model of autoimmune thyroiditis. Annual Meeting of the International-Federation-of-Placenta-Associations (IFPA), Rotorua, New Zealand, 5-8 September 2023. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier.
2023
Conference Publication
The effects of metformin treatment for diabetes during pregnancy on placental mitochondrial function and fetal outcomes
Zimmerman, Dayna, Ibe, Somtochukwu, Simmons, David, Holland, Olivia and Cuffe, James (2023). The effects of metformin treatment for diabetes during pregnancy on placental mitochondrial function and fetal outcomes. Annual Meeting of the International-Federation-of-Placenta-Associations (IFPA), Rotorua, New Zealand, 5-8 September 2023. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier.
2023
Journal Article
Glucocorticoids and their receptor isoforms: roles in female reproduction, pregnancy, and foetal development
Bhaumik, Sreeparna, Lockett, Jack, Cuffe, James and Clifton, Vicki L. (2023). Glucocorticoids and their receptor isoforms: roles in female reproduction, pregnancy, and foetal development. Biology, 12 (8) 1104, 1-27. doi: 10.3390/biology12081104
2023
Journal Article
Maternal hypothyroidism in rats impairs placental nutrient transporter expression, increases labyrinth zone size, and impairs fetal growth
Kent, Nykola L., Atluri, Sharat C., Moritz, Karen M. and Cuffe, James S. M. (2023). Maternal hypothyroidism in rats impairs placental nutrient transporter expression, increases labyrinth zone size, and impairs fetal growth. Placenta, 139, 148-158. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.06.010
2023
Journal Article
The role of maternal choline, folate and one‐carbon metabolism in mediating the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on placental and fetal development
Steane, Sarah E., Cuffe, James S. M. and Moritz, Karen M. (2023). The role of maternal choline, folate and one‐carbon metabolism in mediating the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on placental and fetal development. The Journal of Physiology, 601 (6), 1061-1075. doi: 10.1113/jp283556
2023
Journal Article
Vitamin B12 deficiency induces glucose intolerance, delays peak insulin levels and promotes ketogenesis in female rats
Neal, Elliott, Kumar, Vinod, Borges, Karin and Cuffe, James S.M. (2023). Vitamin B12 deficiency induces glucose intolerance, delays peak insulin levels and promotes ketogenesis in female rats. The Journal of Endocrinology, 256 (2) e220158, 1-16. doi: 10.1530/joe-22-0158
2023
Conference Publication
Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with sex specific alterations to the placenta and reduced cerebroplacental ratio
Steane, Sarah E., Edwards, Christopher, Kubler, Jade, Akison, Lisa K., Cuffe, James S. M., Gallo, Linda A., Moritz, Karen M. and Clifton, Vicki L. (2023). Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with sex specific alterations to the placenta and reduced cerebroplacental ratio. 70th Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 21-25 March 2023. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/s43032-023-01211-1
2022
Journal Article
The L-NAME mouse model of preeclampsia and impact to long-term maternal cardiovascular health
de Alwis, Natasha, Binder, Natalie K., Beard, Sally, Mangwiro, Yeukai T.M., Kadife, Elif, Cuffe, James S.M., Keenan, Emerson, Fato, Bianca R., Kaitu’u-Lino, Tu’uhevaha J., Brownfoot, Fiona C., Marshall, Sarah A. and Hannan, Natalie J. (2022). The L-NAME mouse model of preeclampsia and impact to long-term maternal cardiovascular health. Life Science Alliance, 5 (12) e202201517, 1-14. doi: 10.26508/lsa.202201517
2022
Journal Article
Prenatal choline supplementation alters one carbon metabolites in a rat model of periconceptional alcohol exposure
Steane, Sarah E., Kumar, Vinod, Cuffe, James S. M., Moritz, Karen M. and Akison, Lisa K. (2022). Prenatal choline supplementation alters one carbon metabolites in a rat model of periconceptional alcohol exposure. Nutrients, 14 (9) 1874, 1874. doi: 10.3390/nu14091874
2022
Journal Article
Selenium deficiency during pregnancy in mice impairs exercise performance and metabolic function in adult offspring
Hofstee, Pierre, Perkins, Anthony V. and Cuffe, James S. M. (2022). Selenium deficiency during pregnancy in mice impairs exercise performance and metabolic function in adult offspring. Nutrients, 14 (5) 1125, 1125. doi: 10.3390/nu14051125
2022
Journal Article
Maternal hypothyroidism in rats reduces placental lactogen, lowers insulin levels and causes glucose intolerance
Kent, Nykola Louise, Atluri, Sharat Chandra and Cuffe, James Sebastian Martin (2022). Maternal hypothyroidism in rats reduces placental lactogen, lowers insulin levels and causes glucose intolerance. Endocrinology, 163 (2) bqab231. doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqab231
2022
Journal Article
The effect of gestational age on mitochondrial properties of the mouse placenta
Bartho, Lucy A, Fisher, Joshua J, Walton, Sarah L, Perkins, Anthony V and Cuffe, James S M (2022). The effect of gestational age on mitochondrial properties of the mouse placenta. Reproduction and Fertility, 3 (1), 19-29. doi: 10.1530/raf-21-0064
2021
Journal Article
Developmental vitamin D deficiency in pregnant rats does not induce preeclampsia
Ali, Asad, Alexander, Suzanne, Ko, Pauline, Cuffe, James S. M., Whitehouse, Andrew J. O., McGrath, John J. and Eyles, Darryl (2021). Developmental vitamin D deficiency in pregnant rats does not induce preeclampsia. Nutrients, 13 (12) 4254, 4254. doi: 10.3390/nu13124254
2021
Journal Article
A Novel Ferritin-Core Analog Is a Safe and Effective Alternative to Oral Ferrous Iron for Treating Iron Deficiency during Pregnancy in Mice
Helman, Sheridan L., Wilkins, Sarah J., McKeating, Daniel R, Perkins, Anthony V., Cuffe, James S. M., Hartel, Gunter, Faria, Nuno, Powell, Jonathan J., Anderson, Gregory J. and Frazer, David M. (2021). A Novel Ferritin-Core Analog Is a Safe and Effective Alternative to Oral Ferrous Iron for Treating Iron Deficiency during Pregnancy in Mice. The Journal of Nutrition, 152 (3), 714-722. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxab363
2021
Journal Article
Sex-specific differences in lysine, 3-hydroxybutyric acid and acetic acid in offspring exposed to maternal and postnatal high linoleic acid diet, independent of diet
Shrestha, Nirajan, Melvin, Steven D., McKeating, Daniel R., Holland, Olivia J., Cuffe, James S. M., Perkins, Anthony V., McAinch, Andrew J. and Hryciw, Deanne H. (2021). Sex-specific differences in lysine, 3-hydroxybutyric acid and acetic acid in offspring exposed to maternal and postnatal high linoleic acid diet, independent of diet. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22 (19) 10223, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/ijms221910223
2021
Journal Article
Analysis of mitochondrial regulatory transcripts in publicly available datasets with validation in placentae from pre-term, post-term and fetal growth restriction pregnancies
Bartho, Lucy A., O’Callaghan, Jessica L., Fisher, Joshua J., Cuffe, James S.M., Kaitu'u-Lino, Tu'uhevaha J., Hannan, Natalie J., Clifton, Vicki L. and Perkins, Anthony V. (2021). Analysis of mitochondrial regulatory transcripts in publicly available datasets with validation in placentae from pre-term, post-term and fetal growth restriction pregnancies. Placenta, 112, 162-171. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.07.303
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr James Cuffe is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Investigating placental contributions to complications of pregnancy
The placenta regulates all aspects of pregnancy health. It secretes factors into the maternal system to control maternal blood glucose concentrations, blood pressure and neurological function. This study will investigate key pathological processes in the placenta which may contribute to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction.
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Investigating how micro-nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy lead to metabolic and renal disease in offspring.
Given that only 1 in 20 Australians consume the recommended dietary intake of fruit and vegetables, most Australians would be deficient in key micronutrients when they fall pregnant. Deficiencies in these micronutrients is known to increase maternal risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia but their influence on offspring physiology is less well understood. This study will investigate the role of specific micronutrients in fetal development and offspring physiology. Most particularly, this project will focus on diabetes and renal disease in offspring, two comorbid conditions known to be affected by events that occur before birth.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karin Borges
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the impact of metformin on one carbon metabolism, placental function and fetal outcomes.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Simmons
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the effects of Autoimmune Thyroiditis on Pregnancy Physiology
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
A new the mechanism for the coexistence of hypercortisolaemia and inflammation: GRalpha D1
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Vicki Clifton
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Doctor Philosophy
Glycogen in Epilepsy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nela Durisic, Associate Professor Karin Borges
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy on maternal, placental and fetal outcomes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Karen Moritz
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on maternal, placental, and fetal micronutrients
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Karen Moritz, Honorary Professor Vicki Clifton, Dr Linda Gallo
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of periconceptional ethanol exposure on maternal and offspring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and associated behaviours in a rat model.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Karen Moritz
Media
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