Proteins identified as key factors in placental development and pregnancy risks

Recent scientific studies have identified specific proteins that play critical roles in placental development and the prediction of pregnancy complications.

Research published in Nature Medicine suggests that low concentrations of the protein isthmin-2 (ISM2) in maternal blood around the 12th week of pregnancy may serve as a signal for increased risk of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Analyzing 2,904 proteins, researchers found ISM2 to be the most strongly associated signal with these outcomes. While not yet a clinical diagnostic tool, the finding links the protein to biological processes in placental development.

In a separate study published in Stem Cell Reports, researchers at the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center used mouse models to demonstrate that the protein IRS2 is essential for proper placenta formation. The study found that the absence of IRS2 disrupts the syncytiotrophoblast, the structure responsible for exchanging oxygen and nutrients between mother and fetus. This disruption reduces fetal placental vascularization and limits the effective surface area for nutrient exchange, which can lead to placental insufficiency and impaired fetal growth.