Carmen Pheiffer1,2, Stephanie Dias3,4, Paul Rheeder5, Sumaiya Adam4. 1. Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council, Francie Van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Western Cape, 7505, South Africa. carmen.pheiffer@mrc.ac.za. 2. Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa. carmen.pheiffer@mrc.ac.za. 3. Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council, Francie Van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Western Cape, 7505, South Africa. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. 5. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recently, we reported that the microRNAs (miRNAs) miR-20a-5p and-to a lesser extent-miR-222-3p hold potential as biomarkers for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative South African women. METHODS: In this preliminary study, we measured the expression of these miRNAs in HIV-positive women (GDM 15, non-GDM 52; median 26.0 weeks; range 16-30). RESULTS: Although the same trend of decreased expression of miR-20a-5p (1.5-fold decrease) and miR-222-3p (1.4-fold decrease) was observed in sera of women with and without GDM, these differences were not statistically significant. Stratification according to antiretroviral treatment (ART) confirmed decreased expression of miR-20a-5p and miR-222-3p in ART-naïve and ART-treated women with GDM, although again this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that HIV infection modifies the expression of miR-20a-5p and miR-222-3p in women with GDM. Importantly, this study highlights the complexities of miRNA profiling and the need for GDM biomarker discovery in both HIV-infected and uninfected individuals, particularly in South Africa, where approximately 30% of pregnancies are complicated by HIV. Further studies to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie these miRNA differences are needed.
BACKGROUND: Recently, we reported that the microRNAs (miRNAs) miR-20a-5p and-to a lesser extent-miR-222-3p hold potential as biomarkers for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative South African women. METHODS: In this preliminary study, we measured the expression of these miRNAs in HIV-positive women (GDM 15, non-GDM 52; median 26.0 weeks; range 16-30). RESULTS: Although the same trend of decreased expression of miR-20a-5p (1.5-fold decrease) and miR-222-3p (1.4-fold decrease) was observed in sera of women with and without GDM, these differences were not statistically significant. Stratification according to antiretroviral treatment (ART) confirmed decreased expression of miR-20a-5p and miR-222-3p in ART-naïve and ART-treated women with GDM, although again this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that HIV infection modifies the expression of miR-20a-5p and miR-222-3p in women with GDM. Importantly, this study highlights the complexities of miRNA profiling and the need for GDM biomarker discovery in both HIV-infected and uninfected individuals, particularly in South Africa, where approximately 30% of pregnancies are complicated by HIV. Further studies to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie these miRNA differences are needed.
Authors: Azra Krek; Dominic Grün; Matthew N Poy; Rachel Wolf; Lauren Rosenberg; Eric J Epstein; Philip MacMenamin; Isabelle da Piedade; Kristin C Gunsalus; Markus Stoffel; Nikolaus Rajewsky Journal: Nat Genet Date: 2005-04-03 Impact factor: 38.330
Authors: Mark E Pepin; Lindsey E Padgett; Ruth E McDowell; Ashley R Burg; Manoja K Brahma; Cassie Holleman; Teayoun Kim; David Crossman; Olaf Kutsch; Hubert M Tse; Adam R Wende; Kirk M Habegger Journal: Mol Metab Date: 2018-04-20 Impact factor: 7.422