Mitochondria Targeted Antioxidant Significantly Alleviates Preeclampsia Caused by 11 beta-HSD2 Dysfunction via OPA1 and MtDNA Maintenance

We have previously demonstrated that placental 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11 beta-HSD2) dysfunction contributes to PE pathogenesis. We sought to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying 11 beta-HSD2 dysfunction-induced PE and to seek potential therapeutic targets using a 11 beta-HSD2 dysfunction-induced PE-like rat model as well as cultured extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) since PE begins with impaired function of EVTs. In 11 beta-HSD2 dysfunction-induced PE-like rat model, we revealed that placental mitochondrial dysfunction occurred, which was associated with mitDNA instability and impaired mitochondrial dynamics, such as decreased optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) expression. MitoTEMPO treatment significantly alleviated the hallmark of PE-like features and improved mitDNA stability and mitochondrial dynamics in the placentas of rat PE-like model. In cultured human EVTs, we found that 11 beta-HSD2 dysfunction led to mitochondrial dysfunction and disrupted mtDNA stability. MitoTEMPO treatment improved impaired invasion and migration induced by 11 beta-HSD2 dysfunction in cultured EVTs. Further, we revealed that OPA1 was one of the key factors that mediated 11 beta-HSD2 dysfunction-induced excess ROS production, mitochondrial dysfunction and mtDNA reduction. Our data indicates that 11 beta-HSD2 dysfunction causes mitochondrial dysfunctions, which impairs trophoblast function and subsequently results in PE development. Our study immediately highlights that excess ROS is a potential therapeutic target for PE.