RNAi method targets placenta directly to treat preeclampsia

In a Nature Biotechnology study, researchers from University of Massachusetts Medical School and colleagues reported that siRNA targeting sFLT1 could help treat preeclampsia. The results suggest the RNAi modality could be used to directly target the placenta to treat the pregnancy-associated disease, for which the only effective treatment is early delivery of the baby.

High levels of soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sFLT1; sVEGFR-1) have been linked to preeclampsia, and delivery of the placenta decreases circulating sFLT1...