Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0495
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0495
+44 1478 350008
Manar E. Selim
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clinic Toxicol
P reeclampsia has been implicated in 20% of pregnancy-related maternal deaths and continues to be the leading cause of a mandated preterm delivery. As a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder, preeclampsia is defined as new-onset elevated blood pressure accompanied by proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. Compelling evidence suggests that key disturbances at the fetal-maternal interface (endothelial cell dysfunction, oxidative stress, circulatory and metabolic alterations) play a central role in the etiology and pathogenesis of the clinical manifestations of this syndrome leading to progressive deterioration of maternal and fetal condition, with early delivery as the only definitive treatment. Therefore, discovery of relevant biomarkers to aid with the accurate prediction, rapid confirmation of the diagnosis, and treatment monitoring of preeclampsia remains crucial. Cellular microparticles are ubiquitously shed from cell membranes or secreted as endocytic vesicles called exosomes. Shed microparticles are â�?¥100 nm in size and are generated during apoptosis or necrosis. In contrast, exosomes are smaller (<100 nm), express more limited protein content and are released from late endosomes. The role of exosomes in preeclampsia has not been thoroughly investigated yet. Evidence is accumulating that exosomes modulate the immune response. They facilitate antigen presentation,but are also capable of suppressing the immune response by exposing FasL&NkG2D-ligands. In conclusion, despite many remaining questions, the role of various types of cell derived vesicles in disease development, including preeclampsia, is slowly becoming apparent. The possibilities of research on such vesicles and their putative clinical relevance are exiting and promising. The sooner the disease is detected and confirmed with such vesicles, the better the maternal and fetal prognoses are.
Manar E. Selim is an associate professor at College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. She obtained her PhD degree form Ain Shams University, Saudi Arabia in year 2000. She was awarded with the society & community prize in year 1999, Award for excellence for learning and teaching 2011-2012. Her research interest is in the field of Molecular embryology. She has 15 papers published in journals of repute.