Variation in placental microRNA expression associates with maternal family history of cardiovascular disease
Year: 2022
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: In the United States, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and the rate of maternal mortality remains among the highest of any industrialized nation. Maternal cardiometabolic health throughout gestation and postpartum is representative of placental health and physiology. Both proper placental functionality and placental microRNA expression are essential to successful pregnancy outcomes, and both are highly sensitive to genetic and environmental sources of variation. Placental pathologies, such as preeclampsia, are associated with maternal cardiovascular health but may also contribute to the developmental programming of chronic disease in offspring. However, the role of more subtle alterations to placental function and microRNA expression in this developmental programming remains poorly understood. We performed small RNA sequencing to investigate microRNA in placentae from the Rhode Island Child Health Study (n = 230). MicroRNA counts were modeled on maternal family history of cardiovascular disease using negative binomial generalized linear models. MicroRNAs were considered to be differentially expressed at a false discovery rate (FDR) less than 0.10. Parallel mRNA sequencing data and bioinformatic target prediction software were then used to identify potential mRNA targets of differentially expressed microRNAs. Nine differentially expressed microRNAs were identified (FDR < 0.1). Bioinformatic target prediction revealed 66 potential mRNA targets of these microRNAs, many of which are implicated in TGFβ signaling pathway but also in pathways involving cellular metabolism and immunomodulation. A robust association exists between familial cardiovascular disease and placental microRNA expression which may be implicated in both placental insufficiencies and the developmental programming of chronic disease.
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,255
Awards: Predoctoral Training Program in Genetics, Center for Molecular Epidemiology, G2740816411, G4378521506, Placental and breastmilk microRNAs in relation to early-life growth and metabolism, Enriching the Rhode Island Child Health Study, MicroRNA, Environmental Exposures and Newborn Outcomes, G9000082270, G9000178659, G9000286748, G9000332536, HERCULES: Exposome Research Center, Enriching the Rhode Island Child Health Study, The Kansas Institute for Precision Medicine
OpenAlex ID: W4285020175