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Los Angeles, CA – A groundbreaking study by UCLA Health, recently published in Scientific Reports, suggests that early detection of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) packaged in vesicles could allow for the prediction of preeclampsia in pregnant individuals before clinical symptoms appear.
The study involved a detailed analysis of 33 participants, including a control group of seven non-pregnant women and a sub-group of 12 women with healthy pregnancies. The remaining 14 participants exhibited clinical symptoms of preeclampsia, forming the study’s primary focus on early detection and prediction of the condition.
Results revealed that women with preeclampsia had detectable miRNAs within extracellular vesicles (EVs) during early pregnancy. Researchers identified 148 miRNAs with differential abundance in preeclampsia-related EVs—12 were present in higher amounts, while 135 were found in lower quantities compared to those in healthy pregnancies.
Further analysis showed that EVs extracted from the blood of pregnant women with preeclampsia contained a distinct group of microRNAs as early as the first to the second trimester of pregnancy. These miRNAs followed a unique pattern throughout pregnancy that altered when preeclampsia developed. According to the study authors, this panel of miRNAs holds the potential to predict the development of symptoms, particularly in cases of late-onset preeclampsia.
The findings suggest that miRNAs within EVs could revolutionize the monitoring and care of expectant mothers by serving as noninvasive biomarkers for early preeclampsia detection. This research significantly enhances the understanding of the condition’s pathophysiology and could pave the way for improved maternal care and early intervention strategies.
Disclaimer: The findings of this study are based on a limited sample size and require further validation through larger clinical trials before being implemented in routine clinical practice. Pregnant individuals should consult their healthcare providers for personalized medical advice and screening options related to preeclampsia.
