Kelsey Swingle, a doctoral student in the lab of Michael Mitchell, PhD, Associate Professor of Bioengineering in Penn Engineering, has developed a lipid nanoparticle that delivers an mRNA therapeutic that may reduce maternal blood pressure through the end of gestation and improves fetal health and blood circulation in the placenta.
The technology addresses a critical health equity gap for pregnant individuals with preeclampsia, a condition causing high maternal blood pressure and restricted fetal blood flow. Preeclampsia affects 3-5% of pregnancies worldwide and is a leading cause of stillbirths and prematurity, with currently limited treatment options.
Ms. Swingle’s proof-of-concept study identified an LNP with over 100x greater mRNA delivery to the placenta of pregnant mice compared to FDA-approved formulation. The therapeutic reduced murine maternal blood pressure through gestation, improved fetal health, enhanced placental circulation and increased litter weight at birth. This technology may have the potential for treating preeclampsia in humans. Read more here.