MiR-29b is associated with perinatal inflammation in extremely preterm infants
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Updated: Dec 22, 2025
A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
Published on: June 24, 2020
Leeann R Pavlek1,2, Sundari Vudatala1, Christopher W Bartlett2,3
1Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
Insights
Decreased miR-29b levels in infants are linked to intrauterine inflammation (IAI) and poor neonatal outcomes. MiR-29b may serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target for IAI.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Molecular biology
- Inflammation studies
Background:
- Intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI) is linked to preterm birth and neonatal complications.
- Elevated haptoglobin (Hp), haptoglobin-related protein (Hp&HpRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) indicate IAI.
- Inflammation can epigenetically suppress microRNA-29 (miR-29) expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between miR-29b levels and IAI in premature infants.
- To determine if miR-29b correlates with neonatal morbidities.
- To explore miR-29b as a potential biomarker for IAI.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 92 cord blood and 18 neonatal venous blood samples.
- Measurement of miR-29b, Hp&HpRP, and IL-6 using polymerase chain reaction and ELISA.
- Correlation of molecular markers with clinical data and gestational age.
Main Results:
- Lower miR-29b levels were found in infants with IAI (elevated Hp&HpRP, IL-6) and spontaneous preterm birth.
- Reduced miR-29b was also observed in infants with cerebral palsy and in mothers with histological chorioamnionitis/funisitis.
- Higher miR-29 levels were noted in infants small for gestational age and older infants.
Conclusions:
- MiR-29b may serve as a biomarker for IAI.
- Decreased miR-29b is associated with intrauterine inflammation and adverse neonatal outcomes.
- MiR-29b presents a potential therapeutic target for managing IAI-related complications.
Background:
Inflammation is strongly associated with premature birth and neonatal morbidities. Increases in infant haptoglobin, haptoglobin-related protein (Hp&HpRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are indicators of intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI) and have been linked to poor neonatal outcomes. Inflammation causes epigenetic changes, specifically suppression of miR-29 expression. The current study sought to determine whether miR-29b levels in cord blood or neonatal venous blood are associated with IAI, identified by elevated IL-6 and Hp, and subsequent clinical morbidities in the infant.
Methods:
We tested 92 cord blood samples from premature newborns and 18 venous blood samples at 36 weeks corrected gestational age. MiR-29b, Hp&HpRP, and IL-6 were measured by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.
Results:
Decreased levels of miR-29b were observed in infants exposed to IAI with elevated Hp&HpRP and IL-6 levels and in infants delivered by spontaneous preterm birth. Lower miR-29 levels were also observed in women diagnosed with histological chorioamnionitis or funisitis and in infants with cerebral palsy. Higher levels of miR-29 were measured in infants small for gestational age and in venous samples from older infants.
Conclusions:
MiR-29 may be an additional biomarker of IAI and a potential therapeutic target for treating poor newborn outcomes resulting from antenatal exposure to IAI.
Impact:
Decreases in miR-29b are associated with intrauterine inflammation. Hp&HpRP increases are associated with decreased miR-29b. MiR-29b may be an additional biomarker for neonatal outcomes and a potential therapeutic target for intrauterine inflammation.
