Publication: Elabela deficiency promotes preeclampsia and cardiovascular malformations in mice
Program
KU-Authors
KU Authors
Co-Authors
Ho, Lena
van Dijk, Marie
Chye, Sam Tan Jian
Messerschmidt, Daniel M.
Chng, Serene C.
Ong, Sheena
Yi, Ling Ka
Boussata, Souad
Goh, Grace Hui-Yi
Afink, Gijs B.
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Language
English
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Journal Title
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Volume Title
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a gestational hypertensive syndrome affecting between 5 and 8% of all pregnancies. Although PE is the leading cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality, its molecular etiology is still unclear. Here, we show that ELABELA (ELA), an endogenous ligand of the apelin receptor (APLNR, or APJ), is a circulating hormone secreted by the placenta. Elabela but not Apelin knockout pregnant mice exhibit PE-like symptoms, including proteinuria and elevated blood pressure due to defective placental angiogenesis. In mice, infusion of exogenous ELA normalizes hypertension, proteinuria, and birth weight. ELA, which is abundant in human placentas, increases the invasiveness of trophoblast-like cells, suggesting that it enhances placental development to prevent PE. The ELA-APLNR signaling axis may offer a new paradigm for the treatment of common pregnancy-related complications, including PE.
Description
Source:
Science
Publisher:
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Keywords:
Subject
Science