MicroRNA expression profiling of the human uterine cervix after term labor and delivery.
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.
Hassan
Sonia S
SS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University/Hutzel Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA.
Romero
Roberto
R
Pineles
Beth
B
Tarca
Adi L
AL
Montenegro
Daniel
D
Erez
Offer
O
Mittal
Pooja
P
Kusanovic
Juan Pedro
JP
Mazaki-Tovi
Shali
S
Espinoza
Jimmy
J
Nhan-Chang
Chia-Ling
CL
Draghici
Sorin
S
Kim
Chong Jai
CJ
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
D035683:MicroRNAs