POI affects approximately 1% of women and has major health implications, such as increased risk of osteoporosis, infertility, and major depressive disorder. There is increasing evidence that many cases of idiopathic POI are caused by autoimmunity that is not well-characterized. Ovarian autoantibodies have been described in autoimmune POI (A-POI) patients and these patients are also more likely to develop autoimmune thyroid or adrenal insufficiency. Despite the clear connection between POI and autoimmunity, there is no current treatment for the oophoritis of A-POI, while therapies for other autoimmune conditions continue to advance. For this reason, understanding the immune microenvironment of the ovary is critical to understanding the pathogenesis of A-POI.

Contact the PI for information on research opportunities at tbrodeur@iu.edu.