Altered miRNA Expression in the Cervix During Pregnancy Associated with Lead and Mercury Exposure

Abstract

Background/Aim Toxic metals including lead and mercury are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to assess the association between microRNA (miRNA) expression in the cervix during pregnancy with lead and mercury levels. Methods We obtained cervical swabs from pregnant women (n=60) and quantified cervical miRNA expression. Women’s blood lead, bone lead, and toenail mercury levels were analyzed. We performed linear regression to examine the association between metal levels and expression of 74 miRNAs adjusting for covariates. Results Seventeen miRNAs were negatively associated with toenail mercury levels, and tibial bone lead levels were associated with decreased expression of miR-575 and miR-4286. Conclusion The findings highlight miRNAs in the human cervix as novel responders to maternal chemical exposure during pregnancy.

Plasma microRNAs expression profile in female workers occupationally exposed to mercury

“…A lot of studies suggested that environmental metal pollutants can induce changes in miRNA expression (16)(17)(18). In our research, miRNA microarray assay and subsequent validation revealed that miR-92a and miR-486 were positively associated with mercury exposure.…”

“…Several studies have explored the miRNAs expression profiles of general population environmentally exposed to mercury. Sanders et al (18) assessed the association between miRNA expression in the cervix with mercury levels during pregnancy and found 17 miRNAs were negatively associated with toenail mercury levels. However, few studies have investigated potential effects of occupational mercury exposure on miRNA expression profiles in plasma.…”

MiR-92a and miR-486 are potential diagnostic biomarkers for mercury poisoning and jointly sustain NF-κB activity in mercury toxicity

“…The associations between the aberration of miRNAs profiles and heavy metals exposure have been confirmed by a number of studies 15 , 16 . Our population-based study confirmed that miR-92a and miR-486 expression levels were upregulated in workers exposed to occupational mercury.…”

The Impact of External Factors on the Epigenome:In Uteroand over Lifetime

“…Besides alterations of DNA methylation or/and histone modifications, numerous changes in miRNA profiles have been associated with exposure to different metals, among them mercury, arsenic, and cadmium [ 146 ], and a negative correlation between mercury and lead levels and various miRNAs has been found in cervical swabs from pregnant women [ 147 ].…”