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Wu JX, Shi M, Gong BM, Ji BW, Hu CC, Wang GC, Lei L, Tang C, Sun LV, Wu XH, Wang X. An miRNA-mRNA integrative analysis in human placentas and mice: role of the Smad2/miR-155-5p axis in the development of fetal growth restriction. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1159805. [PMID: 37274158 PMCID: PMC10233019 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1159805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Functional disorder of the placenta is the principal cause of fetal growth restriction (FGR), usually cured with suitable clinical treatment and good nursing. However, some FGR mothers still give birth to small for gestational age (SGA) babies after treatment. The ineffectiveness of treatment in such a group of patients confused physicians of obstetrics and gynecology. Methods: In this study, we performed a microRNA-messenger RNA integrative analysis of gene expression profiles obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus. Differentially expressed genes were screened and checked using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Target genes of significantly changed microRNA were screened and enriched for Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. Function of the obtained microRNA-messenger RNA was evaluated using HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and heterozygote male mice. Result: MiR-155-5p was upregulated (p = 0.001, fold-change = 2.275) in fetal-side placentals. Among the hub genes identified as key targets for miR-155-5p in fetal reprogramming, Smad2 was downregulated (p = 0.002, fold change = 0.426) and negatively correlated with miR-155-5p expression levels (r = -0.471, p < 1.0 E - 04) in fetal-side placental tissues. The miR-155-5p mimic blocks Smad2 expression and suppresses villous trophoblast cell and endothelial cell function (proliferation, migration, and invasion), indicating a close relationship with placental development. Luciferase assays further confirmed the targeting of miR-155-5p to Smad2. Furthermore, Smad2+/- heterozygote male mice were born small with low body weight (p = 0.0281) and fat composition (p = 0.013) in the fourth week post-natal. Discussion: We provide the first evidence of the role of the Smad2/miR-155-5p axis in the placental pathologies of FGR. Our findings elucidate the pathogenesis of FGR and provide new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Xing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and National Center for International Research of Development and Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Microelectronics, SINO-SWISS Institute of Advanced Technology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Shi
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Medical Bioactive Molecular Developmental and Translational Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Bao-Ming Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and National Center for International Research of Development and Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bao-Wei Ji
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng-Chen Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and National Center for International Research of Development and Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gui-Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and National Center for International Research of Development and Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, The Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ling V. Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and National Center for International Research of Development and Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and National Center for International Research of Development and Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and National Center for International Research of Development and Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Rosario FJ, Kelly AC, Gupta MB, Powell TL, Cox L, Jansson T. Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 Regulation of the Primary Human Trophoblast Cell Transcriptome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:670980. [PMID: 34805133 PMCID: PMC8599300 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.670980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 (mTORC2) regulates placental amino acid and folate transport. However, the role of mTORC2 in modulating other placental functions is largely unexplored. We used a gene array following the silencing of rictor to identify genes regulated by mTORC2 in primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells. Four hundred and nine genes were differentially expressed; 102 genes were down-regulated and 307 up-regulated. Pathway analyses demonstrated that inhibition of mTORC2 resulted in increased expression of genes encoding for pro-inflammatory IL-6, VEGF-A, leptin, and inflammatory signaling (SAPK/JNK). Furthermore, down-regulated genes were functionally enriched in genes involved in angiogenesis (Osteopontin) and multivitamin transport (SLC5A6). In addition, the protein expression of leptin, VEGFA, IL-6 was increased and negatively correlated to mTORC2 signaling in human placentas collected from pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In contrast, the protein expression of Osteopontin and SLC5A6 was decreased and positively correlated to mTORC2 signaling in human IUGR placentas. In conclusion, mTORC2 signaling regulates trophoblast expression of genes involved in inflammation, micronutrient transport, and angiogenesis, representing novel links between mTOR signaling and multiple placental functions necessary for fetal growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick J Rosario
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Amy Catherine Kelly
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Madhulika B Gupta
- Children's Health Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics and Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Laura Cox
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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