Preeclampsia is a severe pregnancy disorder unique to humans and is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Preeclampsia manifests clinically as a multisystem disease, however it is defined by the sudden onset of maternal hypertension and proteinuria in the second half of pregnancy. There only treatment is removal of the placenta and therefore delivery of the baby, often pre-term. The sentinel cause of preeclampsia is abnormal development of the placenta in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, little is known of the key placental factors that lead to the development of preeclampsia. Additionally many pharmaceuticals are thought unsafe for use in pregnancy due to potential effects on the developing fetus. Using in vivo and in vitro models we have identified inflammatory mediators that have a causative role in preeclampsia. Our data has identified potential therapeutics for preeclampsia that target the placenta but prevent toxic effects to the developing fetus.