Placental dysfunction can result in conditions such as preeclampsia, which have traditionally been managed with close monitoring and appropriately timed delivery. There is currently no cure for preeclampsia, but could the development of new placental therapeutics offer another option?

Researchers wanted to study these interventions as well. They explored a new way to deliver treatments to the placenta using the same kind of technology behind some mRNA vaccines. The study focused on tiny fat-based particles called lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and how effectively they can deliver mRNA into placental cells. Specifically, researchers examined 1st and 3rd trimester trophoblasts (cells that form early in pregnancy and help build the placenta) under low-oxygen conditions—a key factor in placental dysfunction. mRNA works like a set of instructions, telling cells to produce specific proteins the body needs, such as placental growth factor (PlGF).

Why does this matter?

The placenta plays a critical role in pregnancy, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the baby. In some complications, such as preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction, the placenta doesn’t function properly often because it’s in a low-oxygen environment.

In this study, scientists focused on two key challenges:

1. Low oxygen levels (hypoxia)
2. How placental cells mature and fuse together

Researchers observed that under low-oxygen conditions:

1. Levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) increased (a signal that cells are not getting enough oxygen)

2. Levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) decreased (a protein essential for building healthy blood vessels in the placenta)

Low PlGF levels are strongly associated with preeclampsia and impaired blood flow between mother and baby. To address this, researchers used LNPs to deliver mRNA carrying instructions for producing PlGF directly into placental cells. Researchers found that low oxygen levels made it harder for placental cells to develop normally. However, somewhat surprisingly, the same low-oxygen conditions actually improved how well the mRNA treatment worked once delivered.

The results were encouraging. Even in low-oxygen conditions, the LNP system successfully delivered the mRNA into placental cells. Once inside, the cells were able to produce the missing protein. In fact, levels of the protein were restored to near-normal levels in the lab.

What does this mean for preeclampsia patients?

This research is still at an early stage (lab-based, not yet tested in pregnant patients). But it suggests that mRNA therapies could one day be used to treat placental problems directly. Low PlGF is strongly linked to preeclampsia and if this therapy could increase the PlGF levels, it might improve blood flow and help the placenta function more effectively.

If future studies confirm these findings, doctors might eventually be able to deliver targeted treatments during pregnancy to improve placental function and support healthier outcomes for both moms and babies.

In short, this study shows that:

• mRNA therapies can work in placental cells, meaning there is a possibility of treating preeclampsia at its source (the placenta) not just monitoring symptoms.
• Monitoring PlGF levels and early intervention could help produce healthier blood vessels and improve nutrient and oxygen delivery to the baby.
• It may prolong pregnancy and reduce the need for very premature delivery.

These findings advance the understanding of LNP interactions with trophoblasts and provide a framework for optimizing mRNA delivery approaches for placental dysfunction-related disorders. More research is needed, but this contributes to the growing field of placental nanomedicine, addressing a critical unmet need in maternal–fetal medicine and is an exciting step toward treating preeclampsia and other pregnancy conditions.

Take Home Message:

The development of new placental therapeutics may offer ways to deliver targeted treatments at the source rather than only monitoring symptoms and appropriately timing delivery. More research and testing are needed. Patients should always consult with their medical team about their care plan. Click the links for further information on preeclampsia tests and biomarkers.

Citation: Young RE, Vijayakumar T, Reilley LJ, et al. Investigating the impact of hypoxia and syncytialization on lipid nanoparticle-mediated mRNA delivery to placental cells. Bioeng Transl Med. 2026;11(2):e70114. doi:10.1002/btm2.70114 https://aiche.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/btm2.70114

About Research Roundup:

Each quarter, our team of science writers reviews the most current research studies related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and summarizes those studies of greatest interest and potential impact to our community, including research studies related to risk assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Special thanks to our volunteer research team including Dr. Sig-Linda Jacobson, Dr. Jennifer Mitchell, Dr. Julie Reynolds, Amanda Yang, and Simren Gupta who make Research Roundup possible, and to our Patient Advisory Council, who reviews these materials from the patient perspective.