The paper by lab members was published in the highly rated journal Placenta
In the article “Modeling Preeclampsia: From 2D Cultures to Placenta-on-a-Chip Technologies,” Russian scientists have presented an overview of modern cellular models of preeclampsia—a dangerous pregnancy complication. The study covers two-dimensional and three-dimensional cultures, as well as advanced placenta-on-a-chip microfluidic technologies, allowing the examination of pathological mechanisms at the cellular level. The paper highlights the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 and personalized models for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic methods for preeclampsia. These advancements open prospects for more precise early diagnosis of preeclampsia and the creation of effective treatment strategies.
Breakthrough in Preeclampsia Modeling: From 2D Cultures to Placenta-on-a-Chip
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by hypertension and multi-organ involvement in pregnant women. This condition occurs in 2–8% of all pregnancies and remains one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality. Despite decades of research, the exact mechanisms of its development are not fully understood, and existing therapeutic strategies remain only partially effective. A new study published by a team of Russian scientists led by Evgeny Knyazev, Polina Vishnyakova, Olga Lazareva, and Alexander Tonevitsky provides an overview of modern cellular models of preeclampsia and their potential in the search for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Why is Studying Preeclampsia Important?
The placenta is an organ that separates the maternal and fetal blood during pregnancy and plays a key role in the development of preeclampsia. During placental formation, specialized cells of the developing embryo, called trophoblasts, must penetrate the maternal uterine tissues and remodel the spiral arteries to make them unresponsive to vasoconstrictors and vasodilators, ensuring stable placental blood flow. Disruptions in this process can lead to placental ischemia and hypoxia, triggering a cascade of pathological reactions in the maternal body. Preeclampsia can be studied in pregnant women or animal models; however, due to ethical constraints and significant physiological differences between humans and model animals, alternative approaches are required for studying this pathology.
From 2D Cultures to Organ-on-a-Chip Technology
The authors examine the evolution of cellular models of preeclampsia, starting with two-dimensional (2D) cultures, which allow the study of gene expression, molecular pathways, and cellular behavior, and moving on to more complex three-dimensional (3D) and microfluidic systems.
2D cultures, which consist of one or more layers of cells on a flat surface, remain an important tool for analyzing genetic and molecular disease mechanisms. However, their flat structure does not fully replicate the complex microenvironment of the placenta.
3D cultures, including volumetric cell aggregates (spheroids or organoids) or cells embedded in a three-dimensional gel made of natural or synthetic molecules, provide a better model for studying trophoblast and vascular structures. They allow for the investigation of cellular interactions in a volumetric environment.
Placenta-on-a-chip is an advanced technology that combines microfluidic systems and living cells to reproduce key physiological processes of the placenta. Microfluidic models create a fluid flow that mimics blood circulation, stimulating mechanoreceptors in cells and ensuring continuous nutrient exchange. These models enable the study of the effects of hypoxia, inflammation, and other factors on the placenta.
The Future of Personalized Medicine
The study highlights the importance of developing personalized cellular models based on patient-derived cells. Applying technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 to edit preeclampsia-related genes opens new avenues for targeted therapy and biomarker discovery, potentially leading to early diagnosis and individualized treatment approaches.
Thus, modern cellular models of preeclampsia provide scientists with a powerful tool for studying this complex condition, paving the way for more effective diagnostic and therapeutic methods.