Objectives. Most developmental processes are under the control of small regulatory RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs). We hypothesize that different fetal developmental processes might be reflected by extracellular miRNAs in maternal plasma and may be utilized as biomarkers for the noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal aneuploidies. In this proof-of-concept study, we report on the identification of extracellular miRNAs in maternal plasma of Down syndrome (DS) pregnancies. Methods. Using high-throughput quantitative PCR (HT-qPCR), 1043 miRNAs were investigated in maternal plasma via comparison of seven DS pregnancies with age and fetal sex matched controls. Results. Six hundred and ninety-five miRNAs were identified. Thirty-six significantly differentially expressed mature miRNAs were identified as potential biomarkers. Hierarchical cluster analysis of these miRNAs resulted in the clear discrimination of DS from euploid pregnancies. Gene targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs were enriched in signaling pathways such as mucin type-O-glycans, ECM-receptor interactions, TGF-beta, and endocytosis, which have been previously associated with DS. Conclusions. miRNAs are promising and stable biomarkers for a broad range of diseases and may allow a reliable, cost-efficient diagnostic tool for the noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of DS.

Background & AimsLiver fibrosis is the outcome of chronic liver injury. Transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) is a major profibrogenic cytokine modulating hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and extracellular matrix homeostasis. This study analyses the effect of Endoglin (Eng), a TGF‐β type III auxiliary receptor, on fibrogenesis in two models of liver injury by HSC‐specific endoglin deletion.MethodsEng expression was measured in human and murine samples of liver injury. After generating GFAPCre(+)EngΔ HSC mice, the impact of Endoglin deletion on chronic liver fibrosis was analysed. For in vitro analysis, Engflox/flox HSCs were infected with Cre‐expressing virus to deplete Endoglin and fibrogenic responses were analysed.ResultsEndoglin is upregulated in human liver injury. The receptor is expressed in liver tissues and mesenchymal liver cells with much higher abundance of the L‐Eng splice variant. Comparing GFAPC re(−)Engf/f to GFAPC re(+)EngΔ HSC mice in toxic liver injury, livers of GFAPC re(+)EngΔ HSC mice showed 39.9% (P < .01) higher Hydroxyproline content compared to GFAPC re(−)Engf/f littermates. Sirius Red staining underlined these findings, showing 58.8% (P < .05) more Collagen deposition in livers of GFAPC re(+)EngΔ HSC mice. Similar results were obtained in mice subjected to cholestatic injury.ConclusionEndoglin isoforms are differentially upregulated in liver samples of patients with chronic and acute liver injury. Endoglin deficiency in HSC significantly aggravates fibrosis in response to injury in two different murine models of liver fibrosis and increases α‐SMA and fibronectin expression in vitro. This suggests that Endoglin protects against fibrotic injury, likely through modulation of TGF‐β signalling.

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Chemokines constitute a family of small heparin-binding proteins which orchestrate the infiltration of leukocytes during inflammation, but also directly influence other physiological and pathophysiological processes. In humans, more than 40 chemokines are known binding to around 18 G-protein-coupled receptors. A non-redundant role of certain chemokines and their receptors has been identified within the last years in inflammation and host defense. Among chemokine receptors, the CC chemokine receptors CCR1 and CCR2 have been shown to play a crucial role in these processes. Importantly, these receptors have already been targeted by specific antagonists in early human trials for autoimmune and infectious diseases. Although most of these antagonists failed to show any significant efficacy in the clinic, the knowledge of their biological effects could henceforth offer new avenues with optimal strategies for producing successful therapeutics.