Do miRNAs Play a Role in Fetal Growth Restriction? A Fresh Look to a Busy Corner

Placenta is the crucial organ for embryo and fetus development and plays a critical role in the development of fetal growth restriction (FGR). There are increasing evidences on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in a variety of pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia and FGR. More than 1880 miRNAs have been reported in humans and most of them are expressed in placenta. In this paper, we aimed to review the current evidence about the topic. According to retrieved data, controversial results about placental expression of miRNAs could be due (at least in part) to the different experimental methods used by different groups. Despite the fact that several authors have demonstrated a relatively easy and feasible detection of some miRNAs in maternal whole peripheral blood, costs of these tests should be reduced in order to increase cohorts and have stronger evidence. In this regard, we take the opportunity to solicit future studies on large cohort and adequate statistical power, in order to identify a panel of biomarkers on maternal peripheral blood for early diagnosis of FGR.

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ACE2: A key modulator of RAS and pregnancy

AJP Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpregu.00211.2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sonia Tamanna ◽

Eugenie R. Lumbers ◽

Saije K. Morosin ◽

Sarah J. Delforce ◽

Kirsty G. Pringle

Keyword(s):

Fetal Growth ◽

Fetal Growth Restriction ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Critical Role ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Ang Ii ◽

Renin Angiotensin ◽

Increased Risk

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a membrane-bound protein containing 805-amino acids. ACE2 shows approximately 42% sequence similarity to somatic ACE but has different biochemical activities. The key role of ACE2 is to catalyse the vasoconstrictor peptide Angiotensin (Ang) II to Ang-(1-7), thus regulating the two major counterbalancing pathways of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In this way, ACE2 plays a protective role in end-organ damage by protecting tissues from the pro-inflammatory actions of Ang II. The circulating RAS is activated in normal pregnancy and is essential for maintaining fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and blood pressure. Renin-angiotensin systems are also found in the conceptus. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge on the regulation and function of circulating and uteroplacental ACE2 in uncomplicated and complicated pregnancies, including those affected by preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Since ACE2 is the receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and COVID-19 in pregnancy is associated with more severe disease and increased risk of abnormal pregnancy outcomes, we also discuss the role of ACE2 in mediating some of these adverse consequences. We propose that dysregulation of ACE2 plays a critical role in the development of preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction and COVID-19-associated pregnancy pathologies and suggest that human recombinant soluble ACE2 could be a novel therapeutic to treat and/or prevent these pregnancy complications.

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Cell Free Expression of hif1α and p21 in Maternal Peripheral Blood as a Marker for Preeclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0037273 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. e37273 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Osnat Ashur-Fabian ◽

Gil M. Yerushalmi ◽

Shali Mazaki-Tovi ◽

David M. Steinberg ◽

Inbal Goldshtein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fetal Growth ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Fetal Growth Restriction ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Free Expression ◽

Maternal Peripheral Blood

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The Role of HLAC and NK Cells in Fetal Growth Restriction

Indonesian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.32771/inajog.v5i3.539 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 142

Author(s):

Sri Sulistyawati ◽

Didon M Trimulya ◽

Supriyadi H Respati ◽

Soetrisno Soetrisno

Keyword(s):

Nk Cells ◽

Fetal Growth ◽

Fetal Growth Restriction ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Normal Pregnancy ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Immunohistochemical Method ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mean

Objective: To determine the role of HLA-C and NK cell expressions in fetal growth restriction (FGR). Methods: A cross sectional study design was used. This study was conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Dr. Moewardi General Hospital, Surakarta, its affiliated hospitals, and at the Pathological Anatomy Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sebelas Maret Surakarta. A total of 40 samples were included in this study. The samples consisted of 20 normal pregnancies and 20 pregnancies with FGR. HLA-C expression in the trophoblast and NK cells in decidua of the subjects who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were examined using immunohistochemical method and statistical analysis with T test. Results: The mean expression of HLA-C in the trophoblast in the pregnant group with FGR was 9.021.30, normal pregnancy was 7.96 ± 0.97, p=0.01 (p<0.05). The mean expression of NK cells in decidua of pregnancy with FGR was 10.59 ± 2.11, normal pregnancy was 0.91 ± 8.18, with p=0.00 (p<0.05). Conclusion: The expressions of HLA-C in trophoblast and NK cells in decidua of pregnancy with FGR were higher compared with those of normal pregnancy. [Indones J Obstet Gynecol 2017; 5-3: 142-148] Keywords: fetal growth restriction, HLA-C, NK cells

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