Characterization of placenta-specific microRNAs in fetal growth restriction pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to characterize placenta-specific microRNAs in fetal growth restriction (FGR) pregnancy.


METHODS
Placenta-specific miRNAs were identified by next-generation sequencing analysis. Subsequently, quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to identify FGR placenta-specific miRNAs whose level of expression was significantly decreased in FGR placenta (n = 45) compared with uncomplicated placenta (n = 50). FGR pregnancy-associated, placenta-specific microRNAs were identified in maternal plasma after delivery at significantly decreased concentrations, and their circulating levels in maternal plasma was compared between FGR pregnancies (n = 10) and uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 10).


RESULTS
Out of the ten placenta-specific microRNAs that we identified, seven placenta-specific microRNAs (hsa-miR-518b, hsa-miR-1323, hsa-miR-516b, hsa-miR-515-5p, hsa-miR-520h, hsa-miR-519d, and hsa-miR-526b) from the chromosome 19 microRNA cluster were identified as FGR placenta-specific microRNAs. Four FGR placenta-specific microRNAs (hsa-miR-518b, hsa-miR-1323, hsa-miR-520h, and hsa-miR-519d) were confirmed as FGR pregnancy-associated, placenta-specific miRNAs, but their circulating levels in maternal plasma showed no significant differences between FGR pregnancy and uncomplicated pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that reduced expression in placenta of certain FGR placenta-specific miRNAs is associated with FGR and that the discrepancy between expression in FGR placenta and their circulating levels in maternal plasma will be crucial to understanding how placenta-specific microRNAs are released into the maternal circulation.
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan.
Ai
A
Higashijima
Kiyonori
K
Miura
Hiroyuki
H
Mishima
Akira
A
Kinoshita
Ozora
O
Jo
Shuhei
S
Abe
Yuri
Y
Hasegawa
Shoko
S
Miura
Kentaro
K
Yamasaki
Atsushi
A
Yoshida
Koh-ichiro
K
Yoshiura
Hideaki
H
Masuzaki
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002888:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D055815:Young Adult
D035683:MicroRNAs