title: MicroRNA expression profiling of the human uterine cervix after term labor and delivery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs involved in posttranscriptional regulation of target genes. The objective of this study was to determine the miRNA expression profile of the human uterine cervix after spontaneous term labor (TL).
  
  
  METHODS
  The miRNA expression pattern of cervical tissue was characterized using microarrays. Samples were collected at term from patients with (n = 8) and without (n = 9) TL. Moderated t tests and false discovery rate correction were applied. Results were confirmed using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 226 miRNAs were expressed in human cervical tissue. miR-223, miR-34b, and miR-34c were overexpressed in cervical tissue of patients with TL compared to those without. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assays confirmed these findings (miR-223 [fold change {FC} = 5.7], miR-34b [FC = 4.5], miR-34c [FC = 6.2]; P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first report of miRNA expression in the human uterine cervix in pregnancy. Cervical remodeling after TL and delivery was associated with changes in miR-223, miR-34b, and miR-34c.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University/Hutzel Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Sonia S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pineles
authors.forename: Adi L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Tarca
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Montenegro
authors.forename: Offer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Erez
authors.forename: Pooja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.forename: Juan Pedro
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kusanovic
authors.forename: Shali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazaki-Tovi
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Espinoza
authors.forename: Chia-Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Nhan-Chang
authors.forename: Sorin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Draghici
authors.forename: Chong Jai
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism*; D019295:Computational Biology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs