A recent study has discovered that detecting specific microRNAs (miRNAs) enclosed in vesicles early on may provide a means to anticipate preeclampsia in expecting individuals before noticeable symptoms appear.
Preeclampsia (PE) plays a significant role in the rise of maternal health issues globally, with particularly concerning rates in the United States affecting approximately 2-8% of pregnancies, leading to premature delivery and associated complications for infants. Researchers at UCLA Health have conducted a new study unveiling the potential of predicting preeclampsia in pregnant individuals through the early detection of specific miRNAs enclosed in vesicles before symptoms surface.
The study, led by Dr. Sherin U. Devaskar, MD, executive chair of the Department of Pediatrics at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, highlights the promise of a distinct group of miRNAs found within extracellular vesicles (EVs) – tiny particles that carry information between cells – as a non-invasive biomarker for preeclampsia.
The research involved an in-depth examination of 33 participants, including a control group of seven non-pregnant women and a subgroup of 12 women with normal pregnancies. The remaining 14 women displayed symptomatic pre-eclampsia, crucial to the study’s emphasis on early detection and prediction.
Women with pre-eclampsia exhibited miRNAs within EVs in early pregnancy compared to those with healthy pregnancies. Analysis revealed 148 miRNAs with varying levels in pre-eclampsia EVs: 12 in higher concentrations and 135 in lower concentrations compared to EVs from healthy pregnancies. Distinct sets of miRNAs displayed noticeable differences in EVs from women with pre-eclampsia.
EVs extracted from the blood of pregnant women with preeclampsia contained a set of miRNAs as early as the first to the second trimester of pregnancy. These miRNAs showed a specific pattern throughout pregnancy that altered with the onset of pre-eclampsia. Some miRNAs originated from the placenta and acted as messengers between the placenta and other organs in the body. The researchers believe this miRNA panel holds potential in anticipating the development of preeclampsia symptoms, particularly late-onset preeclampsia.
“Early detection and prevention of pre-eclampsia are crucial,” stated Devaskar. “It remains a leading cause of maternal health complications globally, and our findings emphasize the potential to address this persistent public health issue.”
The results hint at a future where miRNAs within EVs could revolutionize the monitoring and care of expectant mothers. They could function as non-invasive biomarkers for the early detection of preeclampsia during pregnancy, significantly advancing the understanding of the condition’s pathophysiology.
Other contributors to the study include Dr. Ghosh, Ms. Thamotharan, Dr. Fong from the Department of Pediatrics, and Dr. Janzen and Ms. Lei from the Department of Obstetrics.
