“Placenta protein may offer clues to brain development”

Key points

• Researchers identified a protein in the placenta involved in fetal vascular development.
• The protein, soluble platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (sR-beta), may affect brain development.
• Findings suggest sR-beta is present during vascular development, not just pericyte death.
• Researchers propose the protein could serve as a biomarker for pregnancy disorders like preeclampsia.
• Future work aims to understand how placental distress affects sR-beta and neurodevelopment.