Placental autophagy: Emerging pathway in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that is associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, but the precise pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Altered placental glucocorticoid signalling and subsequent modulation of autophagic pathways have been implicated as an underlying mechanism. Here, we show in placentas of preeclamptic women (n = 15; control, n = 5), increased protein levels of the autophagic initiator Beclin1 and subsequently enhanced autophagic initiation, signalling and protein quality control. Next, we show in placental tissue, that the stress- related protein FKBP51, that regulates the signal transduction of steroid hormone receptors, scaffolds a protein network that also contains Beclin1. This potentially autophagy regulating complex can be targeted by small molecule ligands. Taken together, these results provide a stress-related form of placental autophagy, and suggest a novel therapeutic target for preeclampsia.

Publication History

Article published online:
07 October 2020