Maternal vascular responses to extracellular mitochondrial DNA during pregnancy

PROJECT NARRATIVE Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, have devastating effects on the maternal cardiovascular system, are leading causes of maternal deaths, and increase risk for future cardiovascular disease. The proposed research is expected to lead to the discovery of novel mechanisms that contribute to the etiology of maternal vascular dysfunction in pregnancies with preeclampsia. This contribution will be important in the development of pharmacological strategies that will allow the inhibition of interactions between placenta-derived factors and the maternal vascular system, alleviating the symptoms of preeclampsia and reducing cardiovascular risk so all women can live longer and more fulfilling lives.