We know that preeclampsia is a rise in tension during pregnancy, which affects approximately 15% of pregnant women. The origin of the problem is not known for sure, although it is related to some possible causes, such as the high level of the HtrA1 protein or that could be due to vitamin insufficiency.
Now, a study from the Yale University School of Medicine indicates that preeclamsia could be related to misfolded and accumulated proteins in aggregates.
111 pregnant women participated in the study. The researchers used proteomic analyzes to identify key abnormal proteins in the urine weeks before preclampsia became apparent.
The problem is that, in order to perform their individual functions properly, the proteins must bend themselves correctly in three-dimensional structures. If they bend badly or there is a failure in the process, proteins with different properties are produced, which is what would happen in the case of preeclampsia.
The interesting thing is that, if the hypothesis that preclampsia is a specific disease of poorly formed proteins is confirmed, a rapid and non-invasive urine test could be used to diagnose it with reliability. In addition, it opens the doors to investigate new drugs or develop new therapies.
Hopefully, we will continue to know about this disease, which is one of the most common causes of mortality in pregnant women, also causing premature births.
