Functional analysis of placenta-specific mRNA/microRNA and their clinical application

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26462495
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Obstetrics and gynecology
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: MIURA Kiyonori 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(医学系), 准教授 (00363490)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 胎盤 / 胎児 / mRNA / microRNA / 胎盤機能 / 分子マーカー / 母体血漿

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, placenta-specific miRNAs were clearly detected in mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from fetal part of placental tissues, suggesting that primarily expanded MSCs may serve as useful tools for uncovering the molecular mechanism on pregnant disorders. Subsequently, by transfection of chorionic villi (CV)-MSCs with the miR-518b mimic, some miR-518b target genes were previously demonstrated to associate with preeclampsia. In addition, we could construct the reference values for circulating C19MC pregnancy-associated miRNAs in maternal plasma throughout pregnancy, and confirm their possibility of clinical significance in obstetric management. Finally, circulating level of placenta-specific microRNAs in maternal plasma were associated with pregnancy-associated disorders and abnormal pregnancy, suggesting that plasma concentrations of placenta-specific microRNAs may be potential biomarkers to predict and/or estimate the abnormal conditions of pregnancy.

Free Research Field

産婦人科学