Placenta protein may offer clues to brain development

Researchers have discovered a protein in the placenta that may provide insights into fetal vascular development and its impact on brain development and other health issues. The placenta, a temporary organ formed during pregnancy, is vital for healthy gestation, but its functions and potential issues remain underexplored. John Chappell, associate professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, is leading the investigation into the role of this protein, which plays a part in infant vascular development.

His team found the protein, known as soluble platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (sR-beta), to be oxygen sensitive and potentially a new therapeutic target for pregnancy disorders like preeclampsia. Previously considered a biomarker for pericyte cell death in the brain, Chappell’s research shows that sR-beta is present during both pericyte death and vascular development.

The protein's role in placental function is the next focus of investigation. Chappell hypothesizes that imbalances in sR-beta production could negatively affect neurovascular development in the brain, leading to issues like brain bleeds and retinopathy. The lab aims to learn more about the protein's role and its potential as a biomarker for neurodevelopmental problems.

This discovery sheds light on the placenta's importance to maternal and fetal health, pointing towards future therapeutic targets to prevent or limit such complications.