The effect of miR-146a rs2910164 and miR-149 rs2292832 polymorphisms on preeclampsia susceptibility

Epigenetic alterations in preeclampsia: a focus on microRNA149 and tetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms in Egyptian women

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia (PE) poses a substantial risk to prenatal and maternal health. Folic acid (FA) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) play roles in DNA methylation and genomic integrity maintenance, with MTHFR polymorphisms potentially impacting PE occurrence. Human microRNA 149 (miR-149) remains underexplored in PE despite its involvement in folate metabolism. This study seeks to evaluate serum miR-149 levels with the MTHFR C677T polymorphism for diagnosing PE.

METHODS

Seventy females aged 28-40 gestational weeks were divided into control and Preeclampsia groups. Serum miR-149 and MTHFR gene levels were evaluated using real-time PCR.

RESULTS

Preeclamptic patients showed significantly lower serum miR-149 levels than healthy controls (P ≤ 0.01). PE cases showed a higher frequency of the TT genotype and T allele of the C677T polymorphism (OR = 0.181, 2.882, respectively), implicating them as genetic risk factors. The CT genotype also increased PE risk (OR = 0.26), while no significant difference was observed in the CC genotype.

CONCLUSION

Merging miR-149 and MTHFR polymorphism assessment improves discrimination between healthy and PE groups, offering valuable insights into PE pathogenesis and potential diagnostic strategies.

Genetic variants in miR-146a and miR-196a2 in endometriosis: a Brazilian study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the polymorphisms, rs2910164 miR-146a and rs11614913 miR-196a2, by investigating their association with endometriosis.

METHODS

This is a case-control study performed with approximately 120 women. The polymorphisms were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. For the statistical analysis, the chi-square and logistic regression tests were used.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of rs2910164 and rs11614913 between cases and controls. The frequencies in both polymorphisms are in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium regarding miR-146a (patients: χ2=1.64, p=0.20; controls: χ2=0.25, p=0.62) and miR-196a2 (patients: χ2=0.58, p=0.44; controls: χ2=2.78, p=0.10). No relationship was observed between rs2910164 and rs11614913 and endometriosis in the inheritance models analyzed.

CONCLUSION

In this study, our results show that the studied polymorphisms are not implicated in the development of endometriosis.

The role of genetics in maternal susceptibility to preeclampsia in women of African ancestry

Racial disparities exist in the prevalence of preeclampsia (PE), with women of African ancestry suffering the highest rates of morbidity and mortality. Genetic changes may play a role in the preponderance of PE among women of African ancestry. This review discusses 30 genes with variants that have been studied in PE in women of African ancestry. These studies found that a single gene is not responsible for PE susceptibility as 13 genes have been implicated. These genes subserve endothelial, immune, hemodynamic, homeostatic, thrombophilic, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolic pathways. Notably, maternal-fetal gene interactions also contribute to the susceptibility of the disease. For instance, the maternal KIR AA genotype and paternally inherited fetal HLA-C2 genotype confer risk for developing PE. Additionally, genetic changes such as epigenetic modulation of expression of the MTHFR gene through DNA methylation is also associated with the occurrence of PE. In contrast, some genes such as the KIR B centromeric region protect against development of PE in some women. The soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) contributes to the development of PE and is a potential novel therapeutic option for targeted gene silencing of anti-angiogenic sFLT-1 gene. Additionally, NOS3 gene is an important target for pharmacogenomics because it is responsible for the production of endothelial nitric oxide. In conclusion, maternal genetic and epigenetic variants confer susceptibility to PE, indicating the need for further studies to develop a screening tool incorporating maternal genetic variants to identify women at high risk for PE and offer them a preventive therapy.

Expression and role of miR-146a and SMAD4 in placental tissue of pregnant women with preeclampsia

INTRODUCTION

To investigate the expression of miR-146a in severe preeclampsia (PE) and its effect on trophoblast cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis, as well as its relationship with SMAD4.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Participants were divided into the severe PE group (n = 30) and the normal group (n = 30). The expression of miR-146a and SMAD4 in placenta tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Trophoblast cell lines HTR-8/SVneo were cultured to detect the expression of miR-146a under the Cobalt chloride (CoCl₂ )-simulated hypoxia. The effects of miR-146a transfection on cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and SMAD4 expression were analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal group, miR-146a expression was decreased and the protein and mRNA levels of SMAD4 were increased in placenta tissues of the severe PE group. Our in vitro experiments showed that the expression of miR-146a decreased after CoCl₂ treatment. Silencing miR-146a caused increased expression of SMAD4 and decreased expression of VEGF. After transfection with miR-146a inhibitor, compared with the NC group, the invasion and proliferation of HTR-8/Svneo cells were decreased, while the apoptosis was enhanced.

CONCLUSION

The expression of miR-146a decreased in severe PE and was negatively correlated with SMAD4 expression. The expression of miR-146a was inhibited under hypoxia, and the low expression of miR-146a affected the proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of trophoblast cells.

Association of Polymorphisms in miR146a, an Inflammation-Associated MicroRNA, with the Risk of Idiopathic Recurrent Spontaneous Miscarriage: A Case-Control Study

It has been established that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of immune responses and serve as biomarkers of inflammatory diseases as well as recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM). Herein, we aimed to study the relationship between three functional miR146a gene polymorphisms with idiopathic RSM (IRSM) susceptibility. We recruited 161 patients with IRSM and 177 healthy women with at least one live birth and without a history of abortion. Genotyping was performed using RFLP-PCR and ARMS-PCR methods. We found that the rs6864584 T/C decreased the risk of IRSM under dominant TT+TC vs. CC (OR = 0.029) and allelic C vs. T (OR = 0.028) contrast models. Regarding rs2961920 A/C and rs57095329 A/G polymorphisms, the enhanced risk of IRSM was observed under different genetic contrasted models, including the codominant CC vs. AA (OR = 2.81 for rs2961920) and codominant GG vs. AA (OR = 2.36 for rs57095329). After applying a Bonferroni correction, haplotype analysis revealed a 51% decreased risk of IRSM regarding the ACA genotype combination. This is the first study reporting that miR146a rs57095329 A/G, rs2961920A/C, and rs6864584 T/C polymorphisms are associated with the risk of IRSM in a southern Iranian population. Performing replicated case-control studies on other ethnicities is warranted to outline the precise effects of the studied variants on the risk of gestational trophoblastic disorders.

Roles of noncoding RNAs in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is an idiopathic disease that occurs during pregnancy. It comprises multiple organ and system damage, and can seriously threaten the safety of the mother and infant throughout the perinatal period. As the pathogenesis of PE is unclear, there are few specific remedies. Currently, the only way to eliminate the clinical symptoms is to terminate the pregnancy. Although noncoding RNA (ncRNA) was once thought to be the "junk" of gene transcription, it is now known to be widely involved in pathological and physiological processes, including pregnancy-related disorders. Moreover, there is growing evidence that the unbalanced expression of specific ncRNA is involved in the pathogenesis of PE. In the present review, we summarize the expression patterns of ncRNAs, i.e., microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), and the functional mechanisms by which they affect the development of PE, and examine the clinical significance of ncRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of PE. We also discuss the contributions made by genetic polymorphisms and epigenetic ncRNA regulation to PE. In the present review, we wish to explore and reinforce the clinical value of ncRNAs as noninvasive biomarkers of PE.

The relationship between polymorphisms of microRNA and preeclampsia: A protocol for meta-analysis and bioinformatics prediction

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia has genetic correlation. Many studies have shown that microRNA (miRNA) polymorphism is highly associated with preeclampsia, but the results are inconsistent. The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the relationship between miRNA polymorphism and preeclampsia.

METHODS

In this study, the search time is set from the establishment of the database on January 2021. The search database include China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP and China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. The subjects are case-control studies on the relationship between miRNA polymorphism and preeclampsia. The language is limited to English and Chinese. The data of the included study are extracted and the literature quality is evaluated by 2 researchers independently. The data are statistically analyzed through Stata 16.0 software. We also predicted the miRNA secondary structure and the binding sites of miRNA interaction with its target genes.

RESULTS

This review will be disseminated in print by peer-review.

CONCLUSION

This study will provide evidence-based medicine to elucidate the genetic tendency of preeclampsia.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Private information from individuals will not be published. This systematic review also does not involve endangering participant rights. Ethical approval will not be required. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated at relevant conferences.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/MJY2X.

MicroRNA variants in endometriosis and its severity

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are naturally occurring posttranscriptional regulatory molecules that potentially play a role in endometriotic lesion development.Method: We evaluated the prevalence of miRNAs variants miR-146a rs2910164, miR-149 rs2292832, miR-196a2 rs11614913, and miR-499 rs3746444 in endometriosis in 260 cases and 260 controls. DNA was extracted and genotyping of the SNPs was carried out by PCR.Results: There was a significant association of rs2910164 and rs2292832 with increased rates of endometriosis under the dominant (p < 0.001), recessive (p < 0.05), co-dominant (p < 0.001), and allelic model (p < 0.001). Also, rs3746444 showed a borderline association with endometriosis under the recessive model (p = 0.05); however, rs11614913 was not linked to endometriosis. Further analysis indicated the significant association of miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism genotypes (GG, GC, and CC) and miR-149 rs2292832 genotypes (CC and CT) with endometriosis severity in patients (p < 0.001). Additionally, haplotype frequency in cases compared to controls and Linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the mentioned SNPs was appraised.Conclusion: MiR-146a, miR-149 and miR-499 may have a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

The role of soluble E-selectin in HIV associated preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To determine the serum concentration of soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) in HIV associated preeclampsia.

STUDY DESIGN

The study population (n = 72) consisted of normotensive pregnant (n = 36) and preeclamptic (n = 36) women stratified by HIV status (negative vs. positive). Serum concentrations of sE-selectin were quantified using the MilliPlex multiplex immunoassay method. Statistical analyses were conducted using GraphPad Prism software.

RESULTS

When stratified by pregnancy type and HIV status, serum sE-selectin levels were elevated in the preeclamptic HIV-negative group compared to the normotensive HIV-negative group (p = 0.0070**). Gestational age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and baby weight were statistically different across the study groups (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates an elevation of sE-selectin in preeclamptic HIV-negative compared to the normotensive HIV-negative group. However, when stratified by HIV status, there was no significant difference observed in preeclamptic HIV-positive and normotensive HIV-positive groups. The findings of this small-scale study suggest that sE-selectin may be used as a biomarker or an early identifier of preeclampsia. Studies with large numbers should be considered to confirm our findings.

An association study between MiR-146a and INSR gene polymorphisms and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Northeastern Han Chinese population

INTRODUCTION

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy(HDP) is a complex and challenging group of pregnancy complications that is one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal death worldwide. Recent studies have shown that the single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) may play a role in the pathogenesis of HDP. This study aimed to investigate the association of MiR-146a rs2910164 and insulin receptor(INSR) rs2059806 SNPs with HDP and their associated complications in the Han population of Northeast China.

METHODS

A total of 240 HDP patients and 380 healthy controls were selected for genotype determination. For the most special and high incidence of HDP, we also studied the SNPs in association with pre-eclampsia(PE) patients. In addition, HDP complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) patients was further analyzed to identify the association between SNPs and HDP-related complications. Multivariate logical regression analysis combined with 10, 000 permutation test corrections was used to analyze the association of MiR-146a and INSR SNPs with HDP.

RESULTS

After adjusting for relevant factors, MiR-146a rs2910164 or INSR rs2059806 SNPs were not significantly different between HDP or PE patients and healthy controls(P>0.05). Meanwhile, MiR146a rs2910164 and INSR rs2059806 SNPs were not significantly different between HDP complicated with GDM and control group.

DISCUSSION

Our data indicates that MiR-146a rs2910164 and INSR rs2059806 SNPs may not be significantly related with HDP in the Han population of Northeast China living in Heilongjiang Province.