Abstract
During early pregnancy, maternal blood surrounds the embryo before the placenta is fully developed, requiring tight regulation of maternal blood flow into the placental vasculature. We identify placental microthrombi (PMTs) as essential structures guiding this process. PMTs contain platelets, coagulation factors, and complement proteins, and their formation depends on maternal platelet activation by thrombin through the protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4). Deficiency of PAR4 abolished PMTs and caused excessive bleeding at the implantation site. C3 deficiency also led to increased bleeding events, indicating that complement activation contributes to thrombosis in the placental circulation. Conversely, dysregulated complement activation in CMP–sialic acid synthase–deficient (Cmas–/–) mice led to widespread thrombosis and failed placental development. Strikingly, platelet activation via PAR4 was necessary to localize complement activation to trophoblast surfaces, thereby coupling coagulation and complement in PMT formation. Depletion of maternal platelets mitigated complement-driven thromboinflammation in Cmas–/– pregnancies, restoring placental growth. These findings uncover a critical cooperation between platelets, coagulation, and complement in establishing maternal blood flow to the placenta. Successful pregnancy therefore requires not only activation but also tight regulation of these systems to balance necessary PMT formation with the prevention of pathological thrombosis.
Authors
Arno Smid, Lisa Schumann, Olga Oleshko, Ulrike Peters-Bernard, Kerstin Flächsig-Schulz, Melissa Whitehead, Emma Arndt, Korbinian Brand, Sonja Werwitzke, Andreas Klos, Bryan Paul Morgan, Wioleta M. Zelek, Andreas Tiede, Markus Abeln
Figure 1
Coagulation and complement regulate maternal blood flow at the developing placenta.
Copyright © 2026 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)