Though the exact cascade of events leading to preeclampsia is unknown, placental ischemia is commonly thought to be a factor that contributes to the development of the pregnancy–related condition. In a new study presented at the APS annual meeting at Experimental Biology 2017, researchers have found that the immune system’s natural killer (NK) cells activate and change in response to placental ischemia. Disrupting these altered cells seems to blunt some of the dangerous complications of the condition, including hypertension and inflammation in the mother and growth restriction in the fetus.

University of Mississippi Medical Center researchers explored the interaction of placental ischemia and NK cells. “Our current study demonstrates that NK cells are activated and altered in response to placental ischemia,” wrote Denise Cornelius, first author of the study. “We also found that upon deletion of this altered population of cells in an animal model of preeclampsia, hypertension, inflammation and fetal growth restriction are blunted.”

“Currently, the only ‘cure’ for preeclampsia is delivery of the fetus and the placenta, at which time the hypertension and other symptoms of preeclampsia remit. However, early delivery of the fetus results in greater morbidity for the child in the long term,” Cornelius noted. Their findings may provide a target for much–needed new therapies. Identifying additional options for treating the disease – and potentially allowing the pregnancy to continue – could lead to better maternal and fetal outcomes.