Identification of genes dysregulated by elevation of microRNA-210 levels in human trophoblasts cell line, Swan 71

MicroRNA-210-3p Regulates Endometriotic Lesion Development by Targeting IGFBP3 in Baboons and Women with Endometriosis

MicroRNAs (miRs) play an important role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis; however, the role of miR-210 in endometriosis remains unclear. This study explores the role of miR-210 and its targets, IGFBP3 and COL8A1, in ectopic lesion growth and development. Matched eutopic (EuE) and ectopic (EcE) endometrial samples were obtained for analysis from baboons and women with endometriosis. Immortalized human ectopic endometriotic epithelial cells (12Z cells) were utilized for functional assays. Endometriosis was experimentally induced in female baboons (n = 5). Human matched endometrial and endometriotic tissues were obtained from women (n = 9, 18-45 years old) with regular menstrual cycles. Quantitative reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis was performed for in vivo characterization of miR-210, IGFBP3, and COL8A1. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis were performed for cell-specific localization. Immortalized endometriotic epithelial cell lines (12Z) were utilized for in vitro functional assays. MiR-210 expression was decreased in EcE, while IGFBP3 and COL8A1 expression was increased in EcE. MiR-210 was expressed in the glandular epithelium of EuE but attenuated in those of EcE. IGFBP3 and COL8A1 were expressed in the glandular epithelium of EuE and were increased compared to EcE. MiR-210 overexpression in 12Z cells suppressed IGFBP3 expression and attenuated cell proliferation and migration. MiR-210 repression and subsequent unopposed IGFBP3 expression may contribute to endometriotic lesion development by increasing cell proliferation and migration.

Stress Reactivity, Susceptibility to Hypertension, and Differential Expression of Genes in Hypertensive Compared to Normotensive Patients

Although half of hypertensive patients have hypertensive parents, known hypertension-related human loci identified by genome-wide analysis explain only 3% of hypertension heredity. Therefore, mainstream transcriptome profiling of hypertensive subjects addresses differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specific to gender, age, and comorbidities in accordance with predictive preventive personalized participatory medicine treating patients according to their symptoms, individual lifestyle, and genetic background. Within this mainstream paradigm, here, we determined whether, among the known hypertension-related DEGs that we could find, there is any genome-wide hypertension theranostic molecular marker applicable to everyone, everywhere, anytime. Therefore, we sequenced the hippocampal transcriptome of tame and aggressive rats, corresponding to low and high stress reactivity, an increase of which raises hypertensive risk; we identified stress-reactivity-related rat DEGs and compared them with their known homologous hypertension-related animal DEGs. This yielded significant correlations between stress reactivity-related and hypertension-related fold changes (log2 values) of these DEG homologs. We found principal components, PC1 and PC2, corresponding to a half-difference and half-sum of these log2 values. Using the DEGs of hypertensive versus normotensive patients (as the control), we verified the correlations and principal components. This analysis highlighted downregulation of β-protocadherins and hemoglobin as whole-genome hypertension theranostic molecular markers associated with a wide vascular inner diameter and low blood viscosity, respectively.

Role of miR-106-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in oxidative stress injury and inflammatory infiltration in the liver of the mouse with gestational hypertension

We aim to investigate the role of miR-106-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in oxidative stress (OS) injury and inflammatory infiltration in the liver of the mouse with gestational hypertension (GH). Ninety specific pathogen-free mice (Kunming species) during middle to late gestation were selected for the study. Fifteen mice were used as control, while the rest were used for establishing the GH model. The mice were assigned to six groups: normal group (normal gestation), model group (GH model), negative control group (GH model, intravenously injected with negative control vector), miR-106a-mimic group (GH model, intravenously injected with vector overexpressing miR-106a, which mimics the overexpression of endogenous mature miR-106a), SB203580 group (GH model, intravenously injected with MAPK pathway inhibitor SB203580), and miR-106a-mimic+SB203580 group (GH model, intravenously injected with SB203580 and vector overexpressing miR-106a). Fourteen days after electrical stimulation, all the groups except for the normal group had elevated blood pressure vs those on day 0 and 7. Compared with the normal group, the other groups had lower levels of miR-106a expression, nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, S cell ratio, and interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 in the serum and liver as opposed to increased levels of blood pressure, p38MAPK mRNA expression, p-p38MAPK positive expression rate, protein expressions of p-p38MAPK, p-ERK, and p-JNK, H₂ O₂ and malondialdehyde in liver, G0/G1 cell ratio, apoptosis rate, and IL-6, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and IFN-α in the serum and liver (all P < .05). The miR-106 overexpression or inhibiting MAPK signaling pathway can attenuate OS injury and inflammatory response in the liver of the mouse with GH, and the effect can be even better if both miR-106a overexpression and inhibiting MAPK pathway are applied. In conclusion, miR-106a overexpression can inhibit OS injury and inflammatory infiltration in the liver of the mouse with GH by mediating MAPK signaling pathway.

From animal models to patients: the role of placental microRNAs, miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148a/152 in preeclampsia

Placental microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the placental transcriptome and play a pathological role in preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Three PE rodent model studies explored the role of placental miRNAs, miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148/152 respectively, by examining expression of the miRNAs, their inducers, and potential gene targets. This review evaluates the role of miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148/152 in PE by comparing findings from the three rodent model studies with in vitro studies, other animal models, and preeclamptic patients to provide comprehensive insight into genetic components and pathological processes in the placenta contributing to PE. The majority of studies demonstrate miR-210 is upregulated in PE in part driven by HIF-1α and NF-κBp50, stimulated by hypoxia and/or immune-mediated processes. Elevated miR-210 may contribute to PE via inhibiting anti-inflammatory Th2-cytokines. Studies report an up- and downregulation of miR-126, arguably reflecting differences in expression between cell types and its multifunctional capacity. MiR-126 may play a pro-angiogenic role by mediating the PI3K-Akt pathway. Most studies report miR-148/152 family members are upregulated in PE. Evidence suggests they may inhibit DNA methylation of genes involved in metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Given the genetic heterogeneity of PE, it is unlikely that a single placental miRNA is a suitable therapeutic target for all patients. Investigating miRNAs in PE subtypes in patients and animal models may represent a more appropriate approach going forward. Developing methods for targeting placental miRNAs and specific placental cell types remains crucial for research seeking to target placental miRNAs as a novel treatment for PE.

Long non‑coding RNA NR_002794 is upregulated in pre‑eclampsia and regulates the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of trophoblast cells

Pre-eclampsia is a common complication during pregnancy, characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. The pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia is not fully understood. Studies on the maternal spiral artery have led scientists to consider that the ineffective infiltration of placental trophoblast cells may be a primary cause of pre-eclampsia. The present study aimed to investigate the differences in the profiles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) between the placentas of patients with pre-eclampsia and those of healthy pregnant women. The involvement of the differentially expressed lncRNAs in the biological activity of trophoblast cells was also assessed. A total of 26 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified between the pre-eclampsia and healthy groups. Upregulation of NR_002794 was found in tissues from patients with pre-eclampsia. In SWAN71 trophoblast cells, NR_002794 had suppressive effects on proliferation and migration, and resulted in an increased rate of apoptosis. Furthermore, lncRNA NR_002794 had no effect on the phagocytosis of trophoblast cells. The present study suggested that abnormal levels of NR_002794 may lead to atypical conditions in trophoblast cells, which may be associated with the failure of maternal spiral artery remodeling during pregnancy and, consequently, with the development of pre-eclampsia.

HIF-1α Stabilization Increases miR-210 Eliciting First Trimester Extravillous Trophoblast Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Preeclampsia is associated with first trimester placental dysfunction. miR-210, a small non-coding RNA, is increased in the preeclamptic placenta. The effects of elevated miR-210 on placental function remain unclear. The objectives of this study were to identify targets of miR-210 in first trimester primary extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) and to investigate functional pathways altered by elevated placental miR-210 during early pregnancy. EVTs isolated from first trimester placentas were exposed to cobalt chloride (CoCl₂), a HIF-1α stabilizer and hypoxia mimetic, and miR-210 expression by qPCR, HIF1α protein levels by western blot and cell invasion were assessed. A custom TruSeq RNA array, including all known/predicted miR-210 targets, was run using miR-210 and miR-negative control transfected EVTs. Mitochondrial function was assessed by high resolution respirometry in transfected EVTs. EVTs exposed to CoCl₂ showed a dose and time-dependent increase in miR-210 and HIF1α and reductions in cell invasion. The TruSeq array identified 49 altered genes in miR-210 transfected EVTs with 27 genes repressed and 22 enhanced. Three of the top six significantly repressed genes, NDUFA4, SDHD, and ISCU, are associated with mitochondrial function. miR-210 transfected EVTs had decreased maximal, complex II and complex I+II mitochondrial respiration. This study suggests that miR-210 alters first trimester trophoblast function. miR-210 overexpression alters EVT mitochondrial function in early pregnancy. Mitochondrial dysfunction may lead to increased reactive oxygen species, trophoblast cell damage and likely contributes to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Forskolin-mediated BeWo cell fusion involves down-regulation of miR-92a-1-5p that targets dysferlin and protein kinase cAMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha

PROBLEM

To study the role of miRNA(s) during trophoblastic BeWo cell fusion.

METHOD OF STUDY

Changes in miRNA(s) profile of BeWo cells treated with forskolin were analyzed using Affymetrix miRNA microarray platform. Down-regulated miRNA, miR-92a-1-5p, was overexpressed in BeWo cells followed by forskolin treatment to understand its relevance in the process of BeWo cell fusion by desmoplakin I+II staining and hCG secretion by ELISA. Predicted targets of miR-92a-1-5p were also confirmed by qRT-PCR/Western blotting.

RESULTS

The miRNA profiling of BeWo cells after forskolin (25 μmol/L) treatment identified miR-92a-1-5p as the most significantly down-regulated miRNA both at 24 and 48 hours time points. Overexpression of miR-92a-1-5p in these cells led to a significant decrease in forskolin-mediated cell fusion and hCG secretion. miRNA target prediction software, TargetScan, revealed dysferlin (DYSF) and protein kinase cAMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha (PRKACA), as target genes of miR-92a-1-5p. Overexpression of miR-92a-1-5p in BeWo cells showed reduction in forskolin-induced transcripts for DYSF and PRKACA. Further, reduction in DYSF (~2.6-fold) at protein level and PRKACA-encoded protein kinase A catalytic subunit alpha (PKAC-α; ~1.6-fold) were also observed.

CONCLUSION

These observations suggest that miR-92a-1-5p regulates forskolin-mediated BeWo cell fusion and hCG secretion by regulating PKA signaling pathway and dysferlin expression.