1. RNA interference therapeutics targeting angiotensinogen ameliorate preeclamptic phenotype in rodent models
- Author
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Haase, Nadine, Foster, Donald J., Cunningham, Mark W., Bercher, Julia, Nguyen, Tuyen, Shulga-Morskaya, Svetlana, Milstein, Stuart, Shaikh, Sarfraz, Rollins, Jeff, Golic, Michaela, Herse, Florian, Kraker, Kristin, Bendix, Ivo, Serdar, Meray, Napieczynska, Hanna, Heuser, Arnd, Gellhaus, Alexandra, Thiele, Kristin, Wallukat, Gerd, Muller, Dominik N., LaMarca, Babbette, and Dechend, Ralf
- Subjects
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. ,Maternal mortality -- Models -- Health aspects -- Analysis -- Genetic aspects ,Genetic engineering -- Health aspects -- Genetic aspects -- Analysis -- Models ,Hypertension -- Genetic aspects ,Angiotensins -- Health aspects -- Genetic aspects -- Models -- Analysis ,RNA interference -- Models -- Health aspects -- Analysis -- Genetic aspects ,Angiotensin II -- Health aspects -- Analysis -- Models ,Therapeutics -- Analysis -- Models -- Health aspects ,Fetal development -- Models -- Genetic aspects -- Health aspects -- Analysis ,Biotechnology industries -- Health aspects -- Analysis -- Genetic aspects -- Models ,Pregnancy -- Genetic aspects -- Analysis -- Health aspects -- Models ,RNA -- Analysis -- Genetic aspects -- Health aspects -- Models ,Health care industry - Abstract
Preeclampsia, with the hallmark features of new-onset hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation, is a major cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Studies have demonstrated a role for the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in its pathogenesis; however, small-molecule RAS blockers are contraindicated because of fetal toxicity. We evaluated whether siRNA targeting maternal hepatic angiotensinogen (Agt) could ameliorate symptoms of preeclampsia without adverse placental or fetal effects in 2 rodent models. The first model used a cross of females expressing human Agt with males expressing human renin, resulting in upregulation of the circulating and uteroplacental RAS. The second model induced ischemia/reperfusion injury and subsequent local and systemic inflammation by surgically reducing placental blood flow mid-gestation (reduced uterine perfusion pressure [RUPP]). These models featured hypertension, proteinuria, and fetal growth restriction, with altered biomarkers. siRNA treatment ameliorated the preeclamptic phenotype in both models, reduced blood pressure, and improved intrauterine growth restriction, with no observed deleterious effects on the fetus. Treatment also improved the angiogenic balance and proteinuria in the transgenic model, and it reduced angiotensin receptor activating antibodies in both. Thus, an RNAi therapeutic targeting Agt ameliorated the clinical sequelae and improved fetal outcomes in 2 rodent models of preeclampsia., Introduction As one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy remain inadequately treated (1). Preeclampsia, a subset of such disorders, occurs in 5% to 8% [...]
- Published
- 2020
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