Background: Overexpression of sFlt-1 or modulation of FKBPL, key antiangiogenic proteins, are important in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Methods: A newly developed nonviral gene-delivery system, RALA, capable of overexpressing sFlt-1 (e15a isoform) was delivered in vivo in transgenic haploinsufficient (Fkbpl+/-) mice. RALA was also used in vitro to deliver human Flt1 (hFlt1) in trophoblast cells. Results: Serum stable and nontoxic RALA/DNA-based nanoparticles induced an increase in sFlt-1 protein levels in the blood and total protein in the urine; the effect was more pronounced in Fkbpl+/- mice. In vitro, RALA-hFlt nanoparticles significantly reduced secretion of sFlt-1 in trophoblast cells. Conclusion: The RALA-based genetic nanodelivery system can be safely and effectively applied to emulate preeclampsia-like features or reduce sFlt-1 levels in vitro.
Keywords: FKBPL; RALA; gene delivery; preeclampsia; sFlt-1; trophoblast cells.
Lay abstract In this study, the investigators utilized a safe and effective approach to modulate an important circulating protein in pregnancy, sFlt-1, associated with the pregnancy complication, preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a complex and multifactorial disease and a leading cause of death in pregnancy with no current effective treatment strategies. This is likely due to a lack of reliable preclinical models that replicate human disease. The authors demonstrate the feasibility of a new preeclampsia-like model based on the dysfunction of two key vascular proteins, sFlt-1 and FKBPL (an important protein involved in the development of new blood vessels), that could be utilized in the future for testing and development of new treatments targeting these important mechanisms in preeclampsia.