MicroRNA analysis in placentas from patients with preeclampsia: comparison of new and published results

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to identify differences in microRNA expression between patients with and without preeclampsia. Methods: Microarray-based study was carried out with placental samples. Results: Comparison of eight previous studies with the current study revealed a total of 138 microRNAs; only 20/138 (14%), however, were seen in more than one study and the results agreed in the direction of change. Bioinformatic analysis of these 20 microRNAs identified a wide range of biological functions including apoptosis and cell movement for their mRNA targets. Conclusion: The associations between miRNA expression and preeclampsia suggest a potential role for microRNAs in preeclampsia pathobiology.

• Apoptosis
• Meta analysis
• Microarray analysis
• Network analysis
• Pregnancy complications.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the study participants. The staff at Maternal Fetal Medicine of Geisinger Clinic is acknowledged for their help in patient recruitment and sample collection.