MicroRNA-155 contributes to preeclampsia by down-regulating CYR61.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanism of preeclampsia (PE) development through miR-155.


METHODS
PE and normal placentas were used to measure miR-155 and cysteine-rich protein 61 (CYR61) expression. CYR61 3' untranslated region was validated as the target of miR-155 using in vitro transfections. miR-155 and CYR61 expression levels were assessed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or Western blot.


RESULTS
An inverse correlation was found between miR-155 and CYR61 expression levels, with miR-155 up-regulated and CYR61 down-regulated in PE tissues. Luciferase assays and CYR61 transfection assays experimentally validated that miR-155 efficiently targets the 3' untranslated region of CYR61.


CONCLUSIONS
This study reported for the first time that overexpression of miR-155 contributes to PE development by targeting and down-regulating angiogenic regulating factor CYR61, leading to pathological alterations. This finding not only characterizes a new mechanism for the disease but also provides a potential therapeutic target.
Zhang
Yanqing
Y
Drum Tower Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China.
Diao
Zhenyu
Z
Su
Li
L
Sun
Haixiang
H
Li
Ruotian
R
Cui
Hengmi
H
Hu
Yali
Y
D015153:Blotting, Western; D054443:Cell Migration Assays; D055515:Cysteine-Rich Protein 61 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014162:Transfection; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
C501848:CCN1 protein, human; D055515:Cysteine-Rich Protein 61; C524942:MIRN155 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A