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Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: January 26, 2024
Identification of Key Molecules and lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA Network in Preeclampsia
Shu Luo1,2, Lina Wang2, Shuming Li2
1Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Preeclampsia (PE) research identified a novel ceRNA network involving specific lncRNAs, miRNA, and mRNA. This finding offers new biomarkers for preeclampsia diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Preeclampsia (PE) is a major pregnancy complication causing maternal and fetal morbidity.
- Identifying molecular mechanisms underlying PE is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key molecules and the lncRNA-related competitive endogenous (ceRNA) regulatory network in preeclampsia.
- To uncover potential biomarkers for preeclampsia diagnosis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Differential expression analysis of mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs in preeclampsia patients versus controls.
- Construction and visualization of a ceRNA network using lncRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA interactions.
- Validation of key molecules (LINCO2532, SLCO4A1-AS1, miR-23a-5p, DYNLRB1) via qRT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Identification of 726 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 49 miRNAs, and 318 mRNAs.
- Construction of a ceRNA network comprising 16 lncRNAs, miR-23a-5p, and DYNLRB1.
- Downregulation of lncRNAs (LINCO2532, SLCO4A1-AS1) and DYNLRB1, and upregulation of miR-23a-5p observed in preeclampsia.
Conclusions:
- A novel ceRNA network was established in preeclampsia placentas.
- This network elucidates regulatory mechanisms and identifies potential biomarkers for preeclampsia.
- Findings hold significance for clinical treatment and future research in preeclampsia.
Background:
Preeclampsia (PE) is an idiopathic hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and is the leading cause of maternal death, fetal malformation, and premature birth. The purpose of this study is to identify the key molecules and lncRNA-related competitive endogenous (ceRNA) regulatory network in PE.
Methods:
The differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs), lncRNAs (DELs), and miRNAs (DEMs) were identified between PE and control using the Deseq R package. In addition, we performed Geno ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) on DEGs and DELs-target genes to explore their function. The ceRNA network was established based on lncRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA interactions and visualized using Cytoscape software. LINCO2532, SLCO4A1-AS1, miR23a-5p, and DYNLRB1 were selected for qRT-PCR assay.
Results:
Using microarray analysis, we screened 726 DELs (456 upregulated and 370 downregulated), 49 DEMs (37 upregulated and 12 downregulated), and 318 DEGs (230 upregulated and 88 downregulated) between PE patients and control. Based on lncRNA-miRNA pairs and miRNA-mRNA pairs, the ceRNA network was constructed, which contained 16 lncRNA, 1 miRNA (miR-23a-5p), and 1 mRNA (DYNLRB1). LncRNA (LINCO2532 and SLCO4A1-AS1) and DYNLRB1 were downregulated and the expression of miR23a-5p was upregulated in PE patients compared with healthy controls.
Conclusion:
In this study, the novel ceRNA network was established in the placentas of PE patients. It elucidated the regulatory mechanism of PE, and identified novel PE biomarkers, which have important guiding significance for clinical treatment and further scientific research of PE.
