title: miRNA expression for early diagnosis of preeclampsia onset: hope or hype?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Preeclampsia (PE) is a multi-systemic disease characterized by hypertension, proteinuria and other typical signs that can negatively affect the development of pregnancy. The outcome of the disease is strongly linked to the possibility of early diagnosis, in order to prevent the clinical manifestations. Pathogenesis is still unknown, although abnormalities of placenta development linked to angiogenesis alterations and abnormal trophoblastic invasion seem to be involved, corroborating the epigenetic theory. Basing on these elements, this review aims to summarize the possible role of miRNAs in PE onset, both as increased or decreased expression in placenta or as maternal serum markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We considered eligible all original articles (randomized, observational and retrospective studies), published between 2000 and 2016 in English language, about miRNA expression in placenta and maternal serum levels both in uncomplicated and PE pregnancies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Available data support a direct correlation between selective miRNAs high/low expression in placenta and maternal serum, although it is still unclear how these epigenetic changes may affect the development and outcomes of the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future studies should aim to identify a robust panel of miRNA markers in order to predict the onset and development of PE.
authors.affiliation: a Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi" , University of Messina , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio Simone
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1543-2802
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Laganà
authors.affiliation: a Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi" , University of Messina , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore Giovanni
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.affiliation: b Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties , University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sapia
authors.affiliation: b Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties , University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valenti
authors.affiliation: a Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi" , University of Messina , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Corrado
authors.affiliation: c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Ultrasound , Altamedica Fetal Maternal Medical Center , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Padula
authors.affiliation: b Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties , University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors.forename: Agnese Maria Chiara
authors.initials: AMC
authors.lastname: Rapisarda
authors.affiliation: a Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi" , University of Messina , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Anna
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Preeclampsia; early diagnosis; epigenetics; miRNAs; outcomes