A stress paradox: the dual role of the unfolded protein response in the placenta.

The placenta is a temporary organ that forms during pregnancy and is essential for fetal development and maternal health. As an endocrine organ, proper placental function requires continual production, folding, and transport of proteins and lipids. Central to these processes is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a dynamic organelle responsible for maintaining cellular protein and lipid synthesis and processing.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Binding Reveals Targets Implicated in Impaired Human Placental Syncytiotrophoblast Formation under Low Oxygen.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a common and serious complication of pregnancy with no cure except premature delivery. The root cause of PE is improper development of the placenta-the temporary organ supporting fetal growth and development. Continuous formation of the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast (STB) layer via differentiation and fusion of cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) is vital for healthy placentation and is impaired in preeclamptic pregnancies.