Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have made a noteworthy leap forward in tackling a pressing health equity concern affecting pregnant individuals with pre-eclampsia.
This condition, marked by insufficient blood flow to the placenta, raises maternal blood pressure and poses significant risks to fetal health.
Pre-eclampsia is a common pregnancy complication, impacting 3 to 5% of pregnancies, and it is a major factor in stillbirths and premature births around the world.
Early detection often heightens dangers for both mothers and babies, leading to severe health issues and, in some cases, fatalities.
Currently, there are no outright cures; existing treatments mainly focus on managing symptoms with blood pressure medications, and in severe scenarios, early delivery may be necessary, even if the fetus isn’t fully viable.
Research Focus and Gaps
Kelsey Swingle, a doctoral student under the mentorship of Associate Professor Michael Mitchell in the Bioengineering department, acknowledges the pressing need for new solutions in women’s healthcare.
She highlights significant research gaps concerning the complexities of maternal health conditions, emphasizing that these issues deserve increased focus and engineered solutions.
Swingle’s recent study is built upon her earlier success in evaluating various lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)—the same delivery systems utilized in the mRNA COVID vaccine—to explore their ability to target the placenta in pregnant mice.
Her findings, presented in *Nature*, assessed the performance of 98 different LNPs.
Notably, one LNP emerged as a standout performer, capable of delivering mRNA to the placenta over 100 times more effectively than an existing FDA-approved formula.
This enhanced delivery method not only led to lower maternal blood pressure but also improved fetal health, as seen in increased litter weights at birth.
Future Directions and Implications
Excited by the implications of her research, Swingle is hopeful that this work could soon evolve into a viable treatment for pre-eclampsia in humans.
Despite the need for further advancements before human trials can commence, her preparations have already begun, focusing on developing models to induce pre-eclampsia in pregnant mice—an area that remains relatively uncharted in the scientific landscape.
She observed that there is a scarcity of studies utilizing mRNA LNPs in pregnant mouse models, with even fewer specifically addressing pre-eclampsia.
Navigating the complexities of pregnancy research, Swingle skillfully adapted her methodologies to account for gestational tracking and the anatomical differences in mouse placentas.
During her study, the team induced pre-eclampsia in the mice and carefully selected the most promising LNP candidate.
Administered via a single injection on the 11th day of a 20-day gestation period, this candidate produced lasting corrective effects on pre-eclampsia throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.
Next, Swingle’s team plans to test this formulation on larger animal models like rats and guinea pigs to better understand its performance in conditions that more accurately reflect human pre-eclampsia.
Commitment to Women’s Health Research
As she reflects on her research’s future, Swingle aims to remain engaged with the Mitchell lab on various graduate projects, focusing on improving LNP delivery efficiency and exploring how these nanoparticles effectively target the placenta.
Talks are already underway about potentially launching a spin-off company, which would facilitate the progression of this LNP-mRNA therapeutic into clinical trials, showcasing a strong commitment to turning this innovative treatment into reality.
In her pursuit of a Ph.D., Swingle’s leadership in this pioneering research not only advances pre-eclampsia treatments but also inspires early-career researchers dedicated to women’s health.
Professor Mitchell commends her enthusiasm and commitment, highlighting her vital role in nurturing a supportive scientific community that champions revolutionary research aimed at improving women’s health.
Source: ScienceDaily