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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
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Disruption of the Mouse Blood-Brain Barrier by Small Extracellular Vesicles from Hypoxic Human Placentas
Published on: January 26, 2024
Systemic Extracellular Vesicles in Severe Early-Onset Preeclampsia Inhibit Angiogenesis in a Dose-Dependent Manner
Scout Bowman-Gibson1, Traci M Rackett2, Hannah M DeRespiris1
1Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology (S.B.-G., H.M.D., J.M.L., T.L.B.), Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH.
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|July 9, 2026
Summary
Elevated extracellular vesicles in severe early-onset preeclampsia cause endothelial dysfunction. Reducing these vesicles restores angiogenic function, suggesting a threshold effect in this pregnancy complication.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Vascular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Preeclampsia is linked to elevated extracellular vesicles and endothelial dysfunction.
- Severe early-onset preeclampsia is associated with angiogenic dysfunction.
- Extracellular vesicles may play a role in preeclampsia pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of extracellular vesicles from severe early-onset preeclampsia patients on angiogenic function.
- To determine if extracellular vesicle levels influence endothelial cell behavior.
Main Methods:
- Isolated maternal plasma extracellular vesicles from preeclamptic and control pregnancies.
- Analyzed extracellular vesicle concentration and size.
- Assessed endothelial cell migration, tube formation, and stress fiber formation in response to extracellular vesicles.
Main Results:
- Extracellular vesicles were significantly elevated in severe early-onset preeclampsia.
- Altering extracellular vesicle levels mimicked or restored angiogenic function.
- Extracellular vesicle number dose-dependently affected tube formation.
- Preeclamptic extracellular vesicles induced endothelial barrier disruption and stress fiber formation.
Conclusions:
- Elevated maternal extracellular vesicle numbers contribute to endothelial dysfunction in severe early-onset preeclampsia.
- This dysfunction may lead to hypertension and end-organ damage.
- Extracellular vesicle concentration is a critical factor in preeclampsia-related endothelial dysfunction.
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