Ulrike Muscha Steckelings
Using a newly discovered hormone for the treatment of preeclampsia
Applicant
Ulrike Muscha Steckelings
Project drscription
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication associated with new-onset hypertension after the 20th week of pregnancy. It affects 3 to 10% of pregnant women and is still one of the leading causes of maternal and foetal death worldwide. Further to the acute risk for mother and child during pregnancy, preeclampsia also increases the risk to develop cardiovascular disease in mothers and children throughout their lifetime. There is no satisfactory treatment for preeclampsia available.
We have recently discovered that a short natural peptide, which is cleaved from the well-characterised hormone angiotensin II, is biologically active itself and lowers blood-pressure. Our project aims to provide preclinical proof that the peptide is able to lower blood pressure specifically in a preeclampsia model. It further aims to modify the peptide in a way that it has a longer duration of activity in the maternal circulation and - at the same time - does not enter the circulation of the unborn child to avoid any side-effects in the foetus.
Institution
University of Southern Denmark