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Understanding pre-eclampsia to improve outcomes

Research into pre-eclampsia forms part of our Maternal & Fetal Health theme and is led by Professor Manu Vatish.


Interested in this research?

Contact Professor Vatish

Pre-eclampsia Research


Why this research is important?

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy hypertensive disease which affects 4-8% of pregnancies worldwide. It presents itself usually during the second half of pregnancy (from around 20 weeks) or during delivery.

The condition is associated with significant problems for both the mother and baby, and is responsible for the deaths of more than 70,000 mothers and 500,000 babies every year, across the globe.

Despite its impact, there is still a need to better understand the mechanisms underlying pre-eclampsia and improve our ability to predict and prevent the condition.

How can the Pre-eclampsia project help?

Our research includes the examination the molecular mechanisms of pre-eclampsia and explores whether we can predict and prevent the disease.

Our basic science research investigates how extracellular vesicles released from the placenta into the maternal circulation may cause the syndrome. Alongside this, our clinical research has a particular emphasis on placental biomarkers and their ability to predict pre-eclampsia and its adverse outcomes.

Video: The Need For Better Care

In this video from Oxford's Health Experiences Institute (HEXi), women and families affected by pre-eclampsia share their experiences of care.

They highlight the importance of greater awareness of pre-eclampsia and its risk factors, clear and honest communication, continuity between healthcare professionals, and better information and support for families when complications arise.

Research focus areas

Molecular mechanisms of pre-eclampsia

Our basic science work focuses on how extracellular vesicles released from the placenta into the maternal circulation cause this syndrome. The vesicles represent a novel form of feto-maternal cell signaling and the characterization of these nano-sized vesicles required new technologies to be adopted, in particular the pioneering use of Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, in partnership with Nanosight Ltd.

To progress the science, the Department initiated the Oxford Extracellular Vesicle Interest Group. We are also examining the biology of placental pericytes in collaboration with Professor Alistair Buchan, Dr Yvonne Couch (Nuffield Department of Medicine) and Dr Brad Sutherland (University of Tasmania).

Prediction and prevention of pre-eclampsia

Our clinical research has a particular emphasis on placental biomarkers and their ability to predict pre-eclampsia and its adverse outcomes.

Two markers, Placental Like Growth Factor (PlGF) and soluble FMS-like Tyrosine Kinase 1 (sFlt-1), have been characterized in pre-eclampsia using platforms from Alere and Roche Diagnostics. Further studies using these markers in clinical practice are underway.

We are also looking into other candidate molecules derived from mass spectrometry and deep sequencing of placentas and extracellular vesicles.

Global Pregnancy Collaboration (CoLab)

We are members of the Global Pregnancy Collaboration, with Professor Redman being a Founding Member.

The goals of CoLab are three-fold. The overarching goal is to improve the health of women and their infants by facilitating research addressing adverse pregnancy outcomes. This would be accomplished by;

1) facilitating access to data and biological samples for investigators worldwide,

2) by using the intellectual, data, and biological resources of the CoLab to perform large studies that could not be accomplished by any single centre

3) working to establish data and biological sample resources in developing countries.

Extracellular Vesicles - these circulating biopsies of the placenta contain proteins and RNA involved in signaling to maternal organs. They are altered (by quantity and cargo) in diseases such as preeclampsia, growth restriction and gestational diabetes. We explore these moieties to understand the pathogenesis behind these diseases.
- Professor Manu Vatish

Useful links

Maternal & Fetal Health theme

The Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health manages over 30 research groups that fall within either Global Health, Cancer, Maternal & Fetal Health; Big data; and Reproductive Medicine & Genetics.

Maternal & Fetal Health theme

Targeted Removal of sFlt-1 in Very Preterm Preeclampsia

Professor Manu Vatish, lead of the Pre-eclampsia Research Group, co-authored a first-in-human study investigating a promising new approach to managing very preterm pre-eclampsia by removing sFlt-1 from the blood.

Read the article

COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Reduces Pre-eclampsia Risk

Departmental research from the INTERCOVID Consortium found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, particularly with a booster dose, was associated with a reduced risk of pre-eclampsia, offering new insights into its potential prevention.

Read more

The research team

How can you help?

You can support the ongoing work of pre-eclampsia research through donations, collaborations and research support.

If you wish to support our work, please contact us or Professor Manu Vatish. 

Contact Professor Vatish

Related research themes

The Global Health Theme brings together several research groups within the department that are consistently advancing the field through strong international collaborations and impactful research. Led by Professor Aris Papageorghiou, the theme focuses on addressing pressing global health challenges and improving health outcomes worldwide. Learn more about our Global Health Research Groups below.
Global Health
Led by Professor Fadil Hannan, the Maternal & Fetal Health Theme is dedicated to advancing understanding and translating research into clinical practice to improve the lives of families worldwide. Many of these Research Groups are benefiting from advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence, particularly in analysing data and biological processes. Learn more about our Maternal & Fetal Health Research Groups below.
Maternal & Fetal Health