MicroRNA Expression and Pathophysiology in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complex syndrome of pregnancy characterised by maternal hypertension and organ dysfunction that stems from abnormal placentation and systemic endothelial disturbance. Dysregulated expression of microRNAs has emerged as a central feature of its pathogenesis, orchestrating processes from trophoblast differentiation and invasion to vascular homeostasis and immune modulation. Placental miRNA clusters, notably C19MC and C14MC, govern trophoblast proliferation, syncytialisation and angiogenic signalling, while oxygen-sensitive species such as miR-210 modulate gene networks in hypoxic microenvironments. Circulating and extracellular vesicle-associated miRNAs reflect placental health and maternal adaptation, bearing on downstream pathways including insulin-like growth factor signalling, inflammatory chemokines and endothelial function. These small non-coding regulators thus offer mechanistic insights into the onset of maternal and fetal manifestations of disease, and represent promising targets for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Studies have elucidated how hypoxia-inducible miR-210 contributes directly to the hypoxic milieu of preeclamptic placentas by targeting thrombospondin type I domain containing 7A, resulting in impaired trophoblast invasion and vascular remodelling. Experimental models highlight that elevated miR-210 under low-oxygen tension suppresses key receptors and adhesion molecules, reinforcing a maladaptive feedback loop in placental development and maternal endothelial function. A foundational investigation of the core mammalian microRNA network reveals a conserved toolkit of 13 miRNA families that respond to pregnancy cues such as progesterone in endometrial epithelia, emphasising the evolutionary basis for species-specific placentation strategies. This dynamic network under positive selection targets proteins essential for implantation and placental architecture, providing a framework to understand how aberrations in miRNA programmes might precipitate preeclampsia.

MicroRNA Expression and Pathophysiology in Preeclampsia publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna expression and pathophysiology in preeclampsia across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

microRNA: Short non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by inhibiting messenger RNA translation or promoting its degradation.

Preeclampsia: Pregnancy-specific multisystem disorder marked by new-onset hypertension and organ dysfunction after 20 weeks of gestation.

Trophoblast: Specialized placental epithelial cell involved in maternal uterine invasion and formation of the maternal-fetal interface.

Extracellular vesicles: Membrane-bound particles released by cells carrying proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, including miRNAs, for intercellular communication.

Lateral flow assay: Paper-based diagnostic device for rapid detection of analytes, utilising capillary action to transport samples across specific capture zones.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS): Spectroscopic technique that amplifies Raman signals of analytes via metallic nanostructures, enabling ultralow detection limits.

Hypoxia-inducible factor: Transcriptional regulator that mediates cellular responses to low oxygen, including activation of hypoxia-responsive miRNAs such as miR-210.

References

1. Integration of circulating microRNAs and transcriptome signatures identifies early‐pregnancy biomarkers of preeclampsia. Clinical and Translational Medicine (2023).
2. Lateral Flow Assay for Preeclampsia Screening Using DNA Hairpins and Surface-Enhanced Raman-Active Nanoprobes Targeting hsa-miR-17-5p. Biosensors (2024).
3. A burst of genomic innovation at the origin of placental mammals mediated embryo implantation. Communications Biology (2023).
4. Prediction of Early- and Late-Onset Pre-Eclampsia in the Preclinical Stage via Placenta-Specific Extracellular miRNA Profiling. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
5. Hypoxia-inducible miR-210 contributes to preeclampsia via targeting thrombospondin type I domain containing 7A. Scientific Reports (2016).