Human Placental Vascular Reactivity in Health and Disease: Implications for the Treatment of Pre-eclampsia

Emilie Hitzerd, Michelle Broekhuizen, Rugina Neuman, Katrina M. Mirabito Colafella, Daphne Merkus, Sam Schoenmakers, Sinno Simons, Irwin Reiss, Jan Danser

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleResearchpeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Adequate development of the placenta is essential for optimal pregnancy outcome. Pre-eclampsia (PE) is increasingly recognized to be a consequence of placental dysfunction and can cause serious maternal and fetal complications during pregnancy. Furthermore, PE increases the risk of neonatal problems and has been shown to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease of the mother later in life. Currently, there is no adequate treatment for PE, mainly because its multifactorial pathophysiology remains incompletely understood. It originates in early pregnancy with abnormal placentation and involves a cascade of dysregulated systems in the placental vasculature. To investigate therapeutic strategies it is essential to understand the regulation of vascular reactivity and remodeling of blood vessels in the placenta. Techniques using human tissue such as the ex vivo placental perfusion model provide insight in the vasoactive profile of the placenta, and are essential to study the effects of drugs on the fetal vasculature. This approach highlights the different pathways that are involved in the vascular regulation of the human placenta, changes that occur during PE and the importance of focusing on restoring these dysfunctional systems when studying treatment strategies for PE.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)505-527
Number of pages23
JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design
Volume25
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Placenta perfusion pre-eclampsia vascular reactivity vasculature vasoconstriction vasodilation.

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