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VGLL3-centered network connects placental, vascular, and immune defects in preeclampsia

Plazyo, O.; Chopp, L. B.; Peela, R.; Young, K.; Zhang, H.; Bogle, R.; Hesson, A.; Langen, E.; Bergin, I. L.; Syu, L.-J.; Erba, J.; Kirma, J.; Dey, P.; Zhang, L.; Sarkar, M. K.; Swindell, W. R.; Gallagher, K. A.; Ward, N. L.; Singer, K.; Kahlenberg, J. M.; Billi, A. C.; Dlugosz, A. A.; Ganesh, S. K.; Tsoi, L. C.; Gudjonsson, J. E.

2025-06-03 immunology
10.1101/2025.05.30.657097 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Preeclampsia affects approximately 1 in 10 pregnancies, leading to severe complications and long-term health risks for both mother and offspring. While the etiology remains unclear, preeclampsia has been linked to both autoimmunity and the timing of menarche. Through human single-cell and spatial analyses, coupled with in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo models, we demonstrate that VGLL3, a transcription co-regulator in the Hippo pathway, is upregulated in preeclamptic placentas. VGLL3 promotes immune activation, impairs trophoblast differentiation, and induces endothelial dysfunction, all of which contribute to pregnancy-related hypertension, fetal growth restriction, and offspring mortality. Our data reveal that VGLL3 acts upstream of preeclampsia-associated processes, including the production of sFLT1, a key biomarker of the disease. Notably, targeting VGLL3--either by genetic deletion in mouse placentas or through therapeutic inhibition in human placentas--protects against preeclampsia and alleviates disease pathology. These findings position VGLL3 as a promising novel therapeutic target for preeclampsia.

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