Biomarker screening in preeclampsia: an RNA-sequencing approach based on data from multiple studies

Abstract

Objective:Biomarkers have become important in the prognosis and diagnosis of various diseases. High-throughput methods, such as RNA sequencing facilitate the detection of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), hence potential biomarker candidates. Individual studies suggest long lists of DEGs, hampering the identification of clinically relevant ones. Concerning preeclampsia – a major obstetric burden with high risk for adverse maternal and/or neonatal outcomes – limitations in diagnosis and prediction are still important issues. We, therefore, developed a workflow to facilitate the screening for biomarkers.Methods:On the basis of the tool DESeq2, a comprehensive workflow for identifying DEGs was established, analyzing data from several publicly available RNA-sequencing studies. We applied it to four RNA-sequencing datasets (one blood, three placenta) analyzing patients with preeclampsia and normotensive controls. We compared our results with other published approaches and evaluated their performance.Results:We identified 110 genes that are dysregulated in preeclampsia, observed in at least three of the studies analyzed, six even in all four studies. These included FLT-1, TREM-1, and FN1, which either represent established biomarkers at protein level, or promising candidates based on recent studies. For comparison, using a published meta-analysis approach, 5240 DEGs were obtained.Conclusion:This study presents a data analysis workflow for preeclampsia biomarker screening, capable of identifying promising biomarker candidates, while drastically reducing the numbers of candidates. Moreover, we were also able to confirm its performance for heart failure. This approach can be applied to additional diseases for biomarker identification, and the set of DEGs identified in preeclampsia represents a resource for further studies.

Bioinformatics identification and validation of maternal blood biomarkers and immune cell infiltration in preeclampsia: An observational study

“…Fibronectin 1 (FN1) is a glycoprotein that is involved in cell adhesion and cell spreading and is widely distributed in healthy membranes, vascular structures, and smooth muscle cell layers. [25][26][27] The plasma levels of FN1, which may be the best marker for vascular endothelial injury during PE, are increased in patients with PE. [28] Multiple studies have shown that FN1 is related to the pathogenesis of PE, and FN1 can be used as a potential marker in the diagnosis of PE.…”

Minerals and the Menstrual Cycle: Impacts on Ovulation and Endometrial Health

“…The exposure to heavy metals like lead and cadmium can antagonize mineral absorption and function, potentially worsening fertility challenges [6]. While the influence of minerals on male fertility has been intensively investigated [7][8][9][10], their role in women's reproductive health and menstrual cycle has been marginally addressed, often only in the context of specific reproductive pathologies [11,12], emphasizing vitamins and multivitamin supplementation. Notably, these studies frequently lack in-depth investigation of the role of minerals and the underlying mechanisms, neglecting the phases of the menstrual cycle [13].…”