Expression levels of maternal plasma microRNAs in preeclamptic pregnancies

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the differential expression profiles of microRNAs in the plasma between patients with preeclampsia (PE) and healthy pregnancies using quantitative real-time PCR. The expression profiles of 32 miRNAs in maternal plasma from 31 patients with PE and 32 healthy pregnancies were evaluated. The expression levels of eight miRNAs including miR-210, miR-375, miR-197-3p, miR-132-3p, miR-29a-3p, miR-328, miR-24-3p, and miR-218-5p were significantly upregulated and the expression levels of three miRNAs, including miR-302b-3p, miR-191-5p, and miR-17-5p, were significantly downregulated in patients with preeclampsia when compared to healthy pregnant women. In conclusion, we identified 11 miRNAs that may be potential biomarkers for non-invasive diagnosis and a pivotal role in the prediction of PE. Considering the small cohort of patients, further studies with larger samples from different gestational stages are necessary to confirm our findings.

IMPACT STATEMENT

• What is already known on this subject? The alterations in the release pattern of placenta-specific miRNAs detected in maternal serum have been found to be associated with pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia (PE).

• What do the results of this study add? In the present study, the release pattern of seven miRNAs had consistency and two of them had inconsistency with previous researches. Moreover, two novel miRNAs were also defined to demonstrate the interrelationship between PE and miRNAs.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or future research? The identification of 11 miRNAs that may be potential biomarkers for non-invasive diagnosis and a pivotal role in the prediction of PE. Considering the small cohort of patients, further studies with larger samples from different gestational stages are necessary to confirm our findings.

Keywords:

• Circulating miRNA
• preeclampsia
• biomarker
• maternal miRNA
• pregnancy complications

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Mersin University Scientific Research Fund [Grant No: BAP-TF CTB (UA) 2013-3 TU].