OBJECTIVE: Although premature cervical remodeling is involved in preterm birth (PTB), the molecular pathways that are involved have not been elucidated fully. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) that are highly conserved single-stranded noncoding RNAs that play a crucial role in gene regulation have now been identified as important players in disease states. The objective of this study was to determine whether miRNA profiles in cervical cells are different in women who are destined to have a PTB compared with a term birth. STUDY DESIGN: A nested case-control study was performed. With the use of a noninvasive method, cervical cells were obtained at 2 time points in pregnancy. The cervical cell miRNA expression profiles were compared between women who ultimately had a PTB (n = 10) compared with a term birth (n = 10). MiRNA expression profiles were created with the Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA Array. The data were analyzed with the Significance of Analysis of Microarrays and Principle Components Analyses. A false-discovery rate of 20% was used to determine the most differentially expressed miRNAs. Validation was performed with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In vitro studies were performed to confirm expression and regulation of select miRNAs. RESULTS: With a false-discovery rate of 20% of the 5640 miRNAs that were analyzed on the array, 99 miRNAs differed between those with a PTB vs a term birth. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction validated the array findings. In vitro studies confirmed expression of select miRNAs in cervical cells. CONCLUSION: MiRNA profiles in cervical cells may distinguish women who are at risk for PTB months before the outcome. With the large downstream effects of miRNAs on gene expression, these studies provide a new understanding of the processes that are involved in premature cervical remodeling and allow for the discovery of new therapeutic targets.
OBJECTIVE: Although premature cervical remodeling is involved in preterm birth (PTB), the molecular pathways that are involved have not been elucidated fully. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) that are highly conserved single-stranded noncoding RNAs that play a crucial role in gene regulation have now been identified as important players in disease states. The objective of this study was to determine whether miRNA profiles in cervical cells are different in women who are destined to have a PTB compared with a term birth. STUDY DESIGN: A nested case-control study was performed. With the use of a noninvasive method, cervical cells were obtained at 2 time points in pregnancy. The cervical cell miRNA expression profiles were compared between women who ultimately had a PTB (n = 10) compared with a term birth (n = 10). MiRNA expression profiles were created with the Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA Array. The data were analyzed with the Significance of Analysis of Microarrays and Principle Components Analyses. A false-discovery rate of 20% was used to determine the most differentially expressed miRNAs. Validation was performed with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In vitro studies were performed to confirm expression and regulation of select miRNAs. RESULTS: With a false-discovery rate of 20% of the 5640 miRNAs that were analyzed on the array, 99 miRNAs differed between those with a PTB vs a term birth. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction validated the array findings. In vitro studies confirmed expression of select miRNAs in cervical cells. CONCLUSION: MiRNA profiles in cervical cells may distinguish women who are at risk for PTB months before the outcome. With the large downstream effects of miRNAs on gene expression, these studies provide a new understanding of the processes that are involved in premature cervical remodeling and allow for the discovery of new therapeutic targets.
Authors: Kristin D Gerson; Miriam J Haviland; Dayna Neo; Jonathan L Hecht; Andrea A Baccarelli; Kasey Jm Brennan; Alexandra E Dereix; Steven J Ralston; Michele R Hacker; Heather H Burris Journal: Epigenomics Date: 2020-08-18 Impact factor: 4.778
Authors: Alison P Sanders; Chris Gennings; Katherine Svensson; Valeria Motta; Adriana Mercado-Garcia; Maritsa Solano; Andrea A Baccarelli; Martha M Tellez-Rojo; Robert O Wright; Heather H Burris Journal: Epigenomics Date: 2016-12-12 Impact factor: 4.778
Authors: Carrie E Barnum; Jennifer L Fey; Stephanie N Weiss; Guillermo Barila; Amy G Brown; Brianne K Connizzo; Snehal S Shetye; Michal A Elovitz; Louis J Soslowsky Journal: J Biomech Eng Date: 2017-06-01 Impact factor: 2.097
Authors: Alison P Sanders; Heather H Burris; Allan C Just; Valeria Motta; Katherine Svensson; Adriana Mercado-Garcia; Ivan Pantic; Joel Schwartz; Martha M Tellez-Rojo; Robert O Wright; Andrea A Baccarelli Journal: Epigenetics Date: 2015 Impact factor: 4.528
Authors: Heather H Burris; Allan C Just; Miriam J Haviland; Dayna T Neo; Andrea A Baccarelli; Alexandra E Dereix; Kasey J Brennan; Rodosthenis S Rodosthenous; Steven J Ralston; Jonathan L Hecht; Michele R Hacker Journal: Epigenetics Date: 2018-08-10 Impact factor: 4.528
Authors: Caterina Tiozzo; Mark Bustoros; Xinhua Lin; Claudia Manzano De Mejia; Ellen Gurzenda; Martin Chavez; Iman Hanna; Paola Aguiari; Laura Perin; Nazeeh Hanna Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2021-06-26 Impact factor: 8.661