Placenta-Derived MicroRNAs in the Pathophysiology of Human Pregnancy

Abstract

In placental mammals, reproductive success, and maternal-fetal health substantially depend on a well-being placenta, the interface between the fetus and the mother. Disorders in placental cells are tightly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction, etc. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent small non-coding RNAs that regulate post-transcriptional gene expression and are integral to a wide range of healthy or diseased cellular proceedings. Numerous miRNAs have been detected in human placenta and increasing evidence is revealing their important roles in regulating placental cell behaviors. Recent studies indicate that placenta-derived miRNAs can be released to the maternal circulation via encapsulating into the exosomes, and they potentially target various maternal cells to provide a hormone-like means of intercellular communication between the mother and the fetus. These placental exosome miRNAs are attracting more and more attention due to their differential expression in pregnant complications, which may provide novel biomarkers for prediction of the diseases. In this review, we briefly summarize the current knowledge and the perspectives of the placenta-derived miRNAs, especially the exosomal transfer of placental miRNAs and their pathophysiological relevance to PE. The possible exosomal-miRNA-targeted strategies for diagnosis, prognosis or therapy of PE are highlighted.

A Brief Analysis of Tissue-Resident NK Cells in Pregnancy and Endometrial Diseases: The Importance of Pharmacologic Modulation

“…The structures contain protein, DNA, RNA, and/or miRNA of the cells that secrete them. Exosomes have been used as biomarkers in different reproductive diseases [145][146][147][148][149][150][151].…”

“…They then were able to explore the most relevant miRNA in endometriosis [148][149][150]. This information is critical since directed therapies depending on endometriosis may provide new elements to control the inflammatory disease and aid in fertilization [148][149][150][151][152][153][154][155][156][157][158][159][160][161][162][163][164][165][166]. In addition, exosomes contain miRNA and other proteins.…”

“…In addition, exosomes contain miRNA and other proteins. These miRNAs decrease the inflammatory burden by blocking the transcription of inflammatory cytokines and, consequently, induce tissue repair crucial for embryo annidation and pregnancy survival [149][150][151].…”

“…The use of endosomes for therapy has raised the interest of several groups in recent years [145][146][147][148][149]. In addition, the experience with other disease has provided new tools for generating individual and targeted analysis to decrease the inflammatory response and provide the critical tissue milieu for implantation and pregnancy [145][146][147][148][149][150][151].…”

“…Other therapies involve platelet-rich plasma in the uterine cavity and the use of different stem cells [149][150][151][152][153][154][155]. The goal of the platelet-rich plasma is related to local TGFβ release and consequently promote NK differentiation [149][150][151][152][153][154][155]. There have not been conclusive studies using this therapy and other therapies involving various stem cells and allostimulation [155].…”