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Dysregulated placental microRNAs in Early and Late onset Preeclampsia
Alexandra Lykoudi1, Aggeliki Kolialexi1, George I Lambrou2
13rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece; Department of Medical Genetics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Introduction:
To determine the miRNA expression profile in placentas complicated by Preeclampsia (PE) and compare it to uncomplicated pregnancies.
Methods:
Sixteen placentas from women with PE, [11 with early onset PE (EOPE) and 5 with late onset PE (LOPE)], as well as 8 placentas from uncomplicated pregnancies were analyzed using miRNA microarrays. For statistical analyses the MATLAB® simulation environment was applied. The over-expression of miR-518a-5p was verified using Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Results:
Forty four miRNAs were found dysregulated in PE complicated placentas. Statistical analysis revealed that miR-431, miR-518a-5p and miR-124* were over-expressed in EOPE complicated placentas as compared to controls, whereas miR-544 and miR-3942 were down-regulated in EOPE. When comparing the miRNA expression profile in cases with PE and PE-growth restricted fetuses (FGR), miR-431 and miR-518a-5p were found over-expressed in pregnancies complicated by FGR.
Discussion:
Since specific miRNAs can differentiate EOPE and LOPE from uncomplicated placentas, they may be considered as putative PE-specific biomarkers. MiR-518a-5p emerged as a potential diagnostic indicator for EOPE cases as well as for PE-FGR complicated placentas, indicating a potential link to the severity of the disease.
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