W/F Orange Final Research Project

Overview and Background
Preeclampsia is a medical condition in pregnant women, often characterized by hypertension (high blood pressure) and proteinuria (high amounts of protein in the urine). This condition affects about 10% of pregnancies. Research has found that high levels of a specific angiogenic factor produced by the placenta, tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1), have been observed during and prior to clinical manifestation of preeclampsia.

Research Problem and Goals
We would like to induce preeclampsia in pregnant mice, and then, using siRNA gene regulation, target sFlt1 for down regulation. After knocking down sFlt1 in preeclamptic mice, we will then compare the blood pressures and urine protein concentrations of the knock down preeclamptic mice with those of normal preeclamptic mice to understand the relationship between the angiogenic factor sFlt1 and preeclamptic pregnancies.

Details and Methods
Zhou et al. have discovered that preeclampsia can be induced in mice by introducing angiotensin receptor agonistic autoantibodies. Using this method, we would induce preeclampsia in pregnant mice. Then, using siRNA knockdown, we would knock down sFlt1 in one group of the preeclamptic mice and compare their blood pressures and urine protein concentrations with the preeclamptic mice that have not had sFlt1 knocked down.

Predicted Outcomes
Because a correlation has been found between preeclampsia and high serum concentrations of sFlt1, we are interested in investigating if there is a causal relationship as well. We hypothesize that by knocking down sFlt1, we will see a decrease in blood pressure and protein concentration in urine in the preeclamptic mice treated with siRNA. We are also interested in investigating the