New therapeutic target of preeclampsia could be discovered

New therapeutic target of preeclampsia could be discovered

Georgia Health Sciences University Researchers are investigating the mechanisms underlying preeclampsia. They want to see if the dead cells of the placenta are leading to an exaggerated immune response that causes constriction of blood vessels and eventually to hypertension.

Preeclampsia is a condition that occurs in pregnant women after the 20th week of pregnancy and is one of the most feared obstetric complications. Preeclampsia can endanger the life of both mother and fetus. This disease is manifested by high blood pressure (over 140/90 mmHg), proteinuria, and edema. The pregnant may show signs of hypertension such as epistaxis, headache and but also pain in the epigastrium. Hypertension in pregnancy can be controlled by using antihypertensive drugs such as calcium blockers, but in emergency  the only cure is to Cesarian section. On the fetus, preeclampsia can cause growth retardation and preterm birth. Preeclampsia may be associated with HELLP syndrome, a condition manifested by elevated liver enzymes and low platelets. There are several risk factors for preeclampsia: first pregnancy, age over 35 years, twins, preexisting maternal diabetes or hypertension, kidney disease, etc..

Preeclampsia

Although there have been numerous studies on the mechanisms of preeclampsia, the causes of this disease are not clearly defined. There seems to be an abnormal immune response to placenta cells that cause a significant vasocontriction. This vasocontriction lead to hypertension. Now researchers want to understand what exactly is the role of these cells in the development of preeclampsia. Dr. Stella Goulopoulou, a postdoctoral fellow in the Medical College of Georgia at GHSU Department of Physiology, explained that during pregnancy, the trophoblats, the main cells of the placenta, suffer a natural turnover, but in preeclampsia there is an excessive rate of placental cell death . After death, these cells release mitochondria (cell organelles) that binds to Toll-like receptor 9. This binding triggers an inflammatory response. Dr. Goulopoulou said the studies they led have shown that activation of Toll-like receptor 9 leads to constriction of blood vessels.

Now researchers want to discover why the activation of Toll-like receptor 9 leads to inflammation and further to vasoconstriction. Vasoconstriction suppresses the  blood supply and the fetus is deprived of oxygen. This is the explanation for the low weight or growth retardation in children born to mothers with preeclampsia.

Dr. Goulopoulou will do research on mice to find the link between Toll-like receptor activation and vessels of the placenta. In addition, she will measure mitochondrial DNA in the blood of pregnant women with preeclampsia. If the research is successful , a  therapeutic target for this disease could be discovered.