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Disruption of the Mouse Blood-Brain Barrier by Small Extracellular Vesicles from Hypoxic Human Placentas
Published on: January 26, 2024
Syncytiotrophoblast microvesicles released from pre-eclampsia placentae exhibit increased tissue factor activity.
Chris Gardiner1, Dionne S Tannetta, Carol A Simms
1Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom. chris.gardiner@obs-gyn.ox.ac.uk
Plos One
|October 25, 2011
Summary
Syncytiotrophoblast microvesicles (STBM) from pre-eclamptic placentas activate blood coagulation more strongly than those from healthy placentas. This suggests STBM contribute to the dangerous clotting associated with pre-eclampsia.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Hematology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication linked to coagulation activation.
- The placenta releases syncytiotrophoblast microvesicles (STBM) into maternal circulation.
- STBM are hypothesized to contribute to hemostatic activation in pre-eclampsia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of STBM in the hemostatic activation observed in pre-eclampsia.
- To determine if STBM from pre-eclamptic placentas exhibit enhanced procoagulant activity.
Main Methods:
- Collected STBM from placentas of healthy and pre-eclamptic women.
- Assessed thrombin generation using calibrated automated thrombography.
- Investigated the role of tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI).
Main Results:
- STBM initiated thrombin generation in normal plasma in a TF-dependent manner.
- STBM from pre-eclamptic placentas significantly shortened thrombin generation lag time and time to peak.
- TFPI inhibition further enhanced thrombin generation, indicating TF activity on STBM.
Conclusions:
- STBM express TF activity and trigger thrombin generation.
- This procoagulant activity is more pronounced in STBM from pre-eclampsia.
- Increased STBM shedding in pre-eclampsia contributes to disordered hemostasis.
