The Potential for Exosomes in the Prevention and Treatment of Preeclampsia

Abstract

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related complication caused by impaired remodeling of the spiral artery in association with inappropriate implantation. A maladaptive immune response in early- to mid-pregnancy is thought to allow impaired angiogenesis that leads to poor placentation. Furthermore, poor placentation can lead to maternal systemic organ damage via increased placenta-derived humoral factors including anti-angiogenic factors and proinflammatory cytokines. Exosomes are cell-derived vesicles with a diameter of 50–100 nm. They contain micro-RNAs, DNA, and proteins that can affect both local and distant tissues. Exosomes derived from syncytiotrophoblasts might promote the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, and conversely, exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells might ameliorate the condition. Further studies focusing on exosomes are expected to clarify the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and lead to the development of new predictive tools and treatments for preeclampsia.