As part of our effort to understand the causes for maternal cognitive decline in mothers that had pregnancy with Down syndromed fetus, we study the identity and routes of feto-maternal transfer. One such potential route is the feto-maternal transfer of fetal Extracellular Vesicles (EVs).

EVs are vesicles that vary in size from 50nm to over 1µm, and that are secreted from cells to the extracellular matrix. Those EVs are the results of a variety of processes in the cell from the early endosomal sequence (Exosomes) to direct secretion from the cell’s plasma membrane (Microvesicles). EVs and especially exosomes, are considered today not only as a possible carrier of different types of cargo all over the body but are considered as a key player in different signaling processes between organs and systems.

Down syndrome is characterized by elevated expression of the Amyloid precursor protein (APP), thought to be responsible to the early cognitive decline experienced by individuals with Down syndrome. This research direction focuses in identification, characterization, localization and tracking of feto-maternal transfer of EVs during and after pregnancy, including determination of their capability to promote maternal cognitive decline. Moreover, such understanding may open new channels to usage of EVs as possible tools for Alzheimer healing.