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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% [...]

The article discusses that according to research, AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission, and the plastic modulation of their surface levels determines synaptic strength. The various AMPARs of different subunit compositions plays their roles in synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) to enable learning.

Manganese in its divalent state (Mn 2+ ) has features that make it a unique tool for tracing neuronal pathways. It is taken up and transported by neurons in an activity-dependent manner and it can cross synapses. It also acts as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enabling visualization of neuronal tracts. However, due to the limited sensitivity of MRI systems relatively high Mn 2+ doses are required. This is undesirable, especially in long-term studies, because of the known toxicity of the metal. In order to overcome this limitation, we propose 52 Mn as a positron emission tomography (PET) neuronal tract tracer. We used 52 Mn for imaging dopaminergic pathways after a unilateral injection into the ventral tegmental area (VTA), as well as the striatonigral pathway after an injection into the dorsal striatum (STR) in rats. Furthermore, we tested potentially noxious effects of the radioactivity dose with a behavioral test and histological staining. 24 h after 52 Mn administration, the neuronal tracts were clearly visible in PET images and statistical analysis confirmed the observed distribution of the tracer. We noticed a behavioral impairment in some animals treated with 170 kBq of 52 Mn, most likely caused by dysfunction of dopaminergic cells. Moreover, there was a substantial DNA damage in the brain tissue after applying 150 kBq of the tracer. However, all those effects were completely eliminated by reducing the 52 Mn dose to 20–30 kBq. Crucially, the reduced dose was still sufficient for PET imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]