New FKBPL-targeting treatments for preeclampsia

Project Member(s): McClements, L.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Heart Foundation (Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowships)
Heart Foundation (Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowships)

Start year: 2023

Summary: Preeclampsia is a dangerous pregnancy disorder characterised by the new onset of hypertension and organ damage. In Australia, preeclampsia affects 15,000+ women every year, placing a vast financial burden on health services (~100M per annum) due to high hospitalisation rates and neonatal care. Long-term morbidity post-preeclampsia is also increased in both mothers and their offspring. Despite this, there is no cure for preeclampsia. This research program aims to develop and translate new and personalised treatments for preeclampsia targeting novel protein, FK506-binding protein like (FKBPL), with important roles in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. I plan to investigate a number of treatments in reliable preclinical models of preeclampsia and in 3D bioprinted or organ-on-a-chip models of early placenta. These new FKBPL-based technologies will improve the lives of women and children affected by preeclampsia, preventing both short- and long-term complications and morbidity.

Publications:

Afrose, D, Alfonso-Sánchez, S & McClements, L 2025, 'Targeting oxidative stress in preeclampsia', Hypertension in Pregnancy, vol. 44, no. 1.
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Chhor, M, Barman, S, Heidari, F, Bottomley, A, Alqudah, A, Grieve, D, Robson, T, McGrath, K & McClements, L 2024, 'Emerging Role of FK506-Binding-Protein-Like (FKBPL) in a New 3D Bioprinted Model of Cardiac Fibrosis', Elsevier BV, pp. S476-S476.
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McClements, L, Pienaar, D, Chen, H, Gentile, C, Padula, M, McGrath, KC, Henry, A, Ghorbanpour, S, Margaret Roberts, L & Liu Chung Ming, C 2024, 'New 3D cardiac in vitro models for assessing the maternal cardiovascular health five years post hypertensive disorders of pregnancy', Elsevier BV, pp. 15-16.
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Richards, C, Rad, DM, Zhand, S, Warkiani, M & McClements, L 2023, 'Evaluating gene delivery technologies to investigate the role of FKBPL in trophoblast function and the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles', Elsevier BV, pp. e48-e49.
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Bakrania, BA, Spradley, FT & McClements, L, 'Editorial: Adverse outcomes of preeclampsia: from mother to baby, pregnancy to postpartum', Frontiers in Physiology, vol. 15.
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FOR Codes: Cardiology (incl. cardiovascular diseases), Reproductive medicine, Biochemistry and cell biology, Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health), Women's and maternal health

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.