Identification of a novel gene signature in second-trimester amniotic fluid for the prediction of preterm birth

Abstract

Preterm birth affects approximately 5% to 7% of live births worldwide and is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Amniotic fluid supernatant (AFS) contains abundant cell-free nucleic acids (cfNAs) that can provide genetic information associated with pregnancy complications. In the current study, cfNAs of AFS in the early second-trimester before the onset of symptoms of preterm birth were analyzed, and we compared gene expression levels between spontaneous preterm birth (n = 5) and term birth (n = 5) groups using sequencing analysis. Differential expression analyses detected 24 genes with increased and 6 genes with decreased expression in the preterm birth group compared to term birth. Upregulated expressions of RDH14, ZNF572, VOPP1, SERPINA12, and TCF15 were validated in an extended AFS sample by quantitative PCR (preterm birth group, n = 21; term birth group, n = 40). Five candidate genes displayed a significant increase in mRNA expression in immortalized trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cell with H2O2 treatment. Moreover, the expression of five candidate genes was increased to more than twofold by pretreatment with lipopolysaccharide in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Changes in gene expression between preterm birth and term birth is strongly correlated with oxidative stress and infection during pregnancy. Specific expression patterns of genes could be used as potential markers for the early identification of women at risk of having a spontaneous preterm birth.

Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis Based on Stimulation by Lipopolysaccharides and Polyinosinic:polycytidylic Acid Provides a Core Set of Genes for Understanding Hemolymph Immune Response Mechanisms of Amphioctopus fangsiao

“…As for Zinc-finger (ZNF) proteins, they are known for nucleic acid binding and contributing significantly to vital cellular functions, which include cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis [ 52 ]. Recent findings have highlighted the use of ZNF572 as a potential marker for oxidative stress and infections [ 53 ], fostering the assumption that ZNF572 might play a pivotal role in immune functionality within A. fangsiao through transcription regulation. In the context of LOC106883262 ’s high connectivity within the module, and aligning this with the functional analysis of other hub genes, it is speculated that the LOC106883262 gene could be profoundly influential in innate immunity.…”

Interaction between Long Noncoding RNAs and Syncytin-1/Syncytin-2 Genes and Transcripts: How Noncoding RNAs May Affect Pregnancy in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

“…Instead, genes bordering syncytin-2-matched lncRNAs were found to be involved in metabolism, cell motility, transcription, translation, ubiquitination, immune defense, and nociception. Polymorphic variants of CYLD, GC, MBL2, and ZNF572 genes have been collectively associated with the risk of preterm birth or recurrent late pregnancy loss [68][69][70][71][72], while dysregulated expression of CYP8B1 may be responsible for pregnancy intrahepatic cholestasis in mice [73]. The TCL6 gene has been reported to be overexpressed in the placental tissue of women with preeclampsia, threatened miscarriage, or spontaneous abortion [74,75].…”