MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are epigenetic modifiers that play an important role in the regulation of the expression of genes across the genome. miRNAs are expressed in the placenta as well as other organs, and are involved in several biological processes including the regulation of trophoblast differentiation, migration, invasion, proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and cellular metabolism. Related to their role in disease process, miRNAs have been shown to be differentially expressed between normal placentas and placentas obtained from women with pregnancy/health complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and obesity. This dysregulation indicates that miRNAs in the placenta likely play important roles in the pathogenesis of diseases during pregnancy. Furthermore, miRNAs in the placenta are susceptible to altered expression in relation to exposure to environmental toxicants. With relevance to the placenta, the dysregulation of miRNAs in both placenta and blood has been associated with maternal exposures to several toxicants. In this review, we provide a summary of miRNAs that have been assessed in the context of human pregnancy-related diseases and in relation to exposure to environmental toxicants in the placenta. Where data are available, miRNAs are discussed in their context as biomarkers of exposure and/or disease, with comparisons made across-tissue types, and conservation across studies detailed.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7472806 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2020.08.002 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Effects of Exosome miR-494 on Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Trophoblastic Cells by Regulating the PTEN/PI3K/Akt Pathway.
Ann Clin Lab Sci
November 2024
Department of Pathology, Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong, China.
Objective: To investigate the effects of the exosomal miR-494 targeting phospholipinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/rapamycin target protein (mTOR) pathway on proliferation, migration, and invasion of trophoblast cells.
Methods: Decidual macrophages were randomly divided into control group, mimic NC group, miR-494 mimic group, inhibitor NC group, and miR-494 inhibitor group. Each group was transfected with corresponding miR-494 mimic NC, miR-494 mimic, and inhibitor NC and miR-494 inhibitor, while the cells of control group were only replaced with fresh medium.
The expression of chromosome 19 miRNA cluster members during insulin sensitivity changes in pregnancy.
Placenta
January 2025
Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Dept Obstetrics & Gynecology, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address:
Hypothesis: Declines in insulin sensitivity during pregnancy important for fetal growth are associated with impairments in skeletal muscle post-receptor insulin signaling. The primary initiator of these changes is unknown but believed to originate in the placenta. We hypothesize that placental miRNAs are associated with maternal sensitivity changes and impact insulin-sensitive mechanisms in target tissues in vitro.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMiR-519d-3p from Placenta-Derived Exosomes Induce Immune Intolerance Regulating Immune Cells, Contributing to the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia.
Immunol Invest
January 2025
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Centre of Maternity and Child Health, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China.
Background: MiR-519d-3p, also called specific placenta biomarkers, is a member of the Chromosome 19 miRNA Cluster (C19MC) with the highest concentrations of miRNAs in human placenta and maternal serum. These miRNAs are secreted by fetal trophoblast cells within extracellular vesicles (EVs) and interact with the mother's immune cells, which has been proposed to be crucial for immunological tolerance at the placental-maternal interface. A key mechanism in preeclampsia, a multifactorial, multipath hypertensive pregnancy illness, is an immunological imbalance between the mother and the fetus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBioinformatic identification of signature miRNAs associated with fetoplacental vascular dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus.
Biochem Biophys Rep
March 2025
Center for Medical Laboratory Science, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, 533000, China.
Background: Intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses significant risks to fetal development and future metabolic health. Despite its clinical importance, the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in fetoplacental vascular endothelial cell (VEC) programming in the context of GDM remains elusive. This study aims to identify signature miRNA genes involved in this process using bioinformatics analysis via multiple algorithms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSmall Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Cord Blood Plasma and Placental Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuate Acute Lung Injury Induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Int J Mol Sci
December 2024
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Sepsis is a risk factor associated with increasing neonatal morbidity and mortality, acute lung injury, and chronic lung disease. While stem cell therapy has shown promise in alleviating acute lung injury, its effects are primarily exerted through paracrine mechanisms rather than local engraftment. Accumulating evidence suggests that these paracrine effects are mediated by mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which play a critical role in immune system modulation and tissue regeneration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!