Experimental Treatment for Preeclampsia

摘要

In studies of mice and nonhuman primates, researchers funded by the NIH used a technique known as RNA interference to reduce high levels of a protein that can cause preeclampsia. The study appears in Nature Biotechnology. Preeclampsia can result from overproduction of the protein SFIt-1 in the placenta. The protein circulates in the bloodstream and acts like a decoy-binding to compounds that would otherwise attach to receptors on blood vessel walls. Deprived of these compounds, the blood vessels deteriorate, leading to dangerously high blood pressure in the woman and depriving the fetus of essential oxygen and nutrients. Although preeclampsia often can be treated, it has no cure, other than immediate birth of the fetus.