Links
- PubMed ID: 29153693
- PubMed Central ID: PMC5970562
- mirBase link for hsa-miR-202-3p
- Target searches:
Abstract
MicroRNA
expression has not been studied during placentation in pregnancies that
develop preeclampsia, where it likely manifests. In this pilot study,
miRNA expression in late first trimester placenta from four pregnancies
that developed severe preeclampsia matched to controls using the
Affymetrix GeneChip® miRNA 3.0 Array identified 9 miRNAs differentially
expressed, with miR-202-3p the most significantly overexpressed in
severe preeclampsia. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain
reaction (qRT-PCR) confirmed overexpression of miR-202-3p in a
validation cohort, with a 7-fold increase in pregnancies that developed
severe preeclampsia (p≤ 0.05). Differential miRNA expression,
specifically miR-202-3p, is seen in first trimester placenta in severe
preeclampsia.
Layman's summary
- Preeclampsia is very high blood pressure induced by pregnancy. It is a complication dangerous to the mother and baby that affects 2-8% of pregnancies.
- Preeclampsia is diagnosed in second and third trimester, but likely develops due to issues with placenta development that begin in first trimester.
- Question:
- Does the first trimester human placenta express any microRNAs associated with later development of severe preeclampsia?
- Methods:
- Extracted and prepared RNA from leftover chorionic villus sampling, a placenta biopsy used for prenatal diagnostic testing. Thank you to Cedars-Sinai patients who consented to donate leftover sample to research!
- Microarray analysis of two groups: patients who developed severe preeclampsia and patients who did not (control group).
- Verified microarray results with different patient samples using qRT-PCR.
- Result:
- MicroRNA hsa-miR-202-3p was significantly higher in the first trimester placenta of patients who later developed severe preeclampsia, compared to those who did not. It was significantly different in both the microarray data and qRT-PCR validation cohort.
- Note: "hsa" is the 3 letter code for Homo sapien (human).
- Future:
- What does miR-202-3p do in the first trimester placenta? How does it affect cell function, maternal-fetal communication, and placenta development?
- There is evidence that some placenta miRNAs end up in maternal circulation. Is miR-202-3p found in maternal blood? If so, can it be used as a noninvasive early test for preeclampsia risk?
