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Reduced HSD17B1 expression in preeclampsia: integrated transcriptomic, summary Mendelian randomization, immune
Keng Ling1,2, Minping Hong3, Liqin Jin3
1Central Laboratory, Jiaxing Women & Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Jiaxing, China.
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
|May 28, 2026
Summary
Reduced 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD17B1) in the placenta is linked to preeclampsia (PE). This study confirms lower HSD17B1 in PE placentas and plasma, suggesting it as a potential marker for PE.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Genomics
- Immunology
Background:
- 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD17B1) is crucial for placental steroidogenesis.
- Previous research suggests a link between reduced HSD17B1 and preeclampsia (PE).
- The role of HSD17B1 in the broader transcriptomic and immune context of PE is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of HSD17B1 in preeclampsia.
- To analyze the relationship between HSD17B1 and placental gene expression.
- To explore the association of HSD17B1 with immune cell infiltration in preeclampsia.
Main Methods:
- Differential gene expression (DEG) analysis of placental transcriptomic data from controls and PE patients.
- Summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) to prioritize candidate genes.
- Immune cell deconvolution using CIBERSORT.
- Validation in a clinical cohort using ELISA and RT-qPCR.
Main Results:
- 207 differentially expressed genes were identified in PE placentas.
- HSD17B1 was a key candidate gene identified by both DEG and SMR analyses.
- Lower plasma and placental HSD17B1 levels were observed in women with PE.
- Altered immune cell proportions were found in PE placentas, with correlations to HSD17B1 expression.
Conclusions:
- HSD17B1 is consistently downregulated in preeclampsia.
- Findings support HSD17B1 as a biologically plausible marker associated with PE.
- The study does not establish causality, and immune findings are exploratory.
