Identification of LOC101927355 as a Novel Biomarker for Preeclampsia

Abstract

Preeclampsia, a disorder with a heterogeneous physiopathology, can be attributed to maternal, fetal, and/or placental factors. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) refer to a class of non-coding RNAs, the essential regulators of biological processes; their differential expression has been associated with the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. The study aimed to identify lncRNAs, expressed in the placentas and plasma of patients who presented with preeclampsia, as potential putative biomarkers of the disease. In silico analysis was performed to determine lncRNAs differentially expressed in the placentas of patients with preeclampsia, using a previously published RNA-Seq dataset. Seven placentas and maternal plasma samples collected at delivery from preterm preeclamptic patients (≤37 gestational weeks of gestation), and controls were used to validate the expression of lncRNAs by qRT-PCR. Six lncRNAs were validated and differentially expressed (p < 0.05) in the preeclampsia and control placentas: UCA1 and HCG4 were found upregulated, and LOC101927355, LINC00551, PART1, and NRAD1 downregulated. Two of these lncRNAs, HCG4 and LOC101927355, were also detected in maternal plasma, the latter showing a significant decrease (p = 0.03) in preeclamptic patients compared to the control group. In silico analyses showed the cytoplasmic location of LOC101927355, which suggests a role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. The detection of LOC101927355 in the placenta and plasma opens new possibilities for understanding the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and for its potential use as a biomarker.

Linking genotype to trophoblast phenotype in preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome associated with STOX1 genetic variants

“…Among the paradigmatic genes modified connected to placental disorders, we can mention the long non-coding RNA UCA1 , upregulated more than 4-fold by the T188N mutant compared to the WT STOX1A. UCA1 is induced in the preeclamptic placenta 23 and was shown to be connected to trophoblast cell migration, 19 cell invasion and proliferation, 18 trophoblast fusion, 17 and the ability to trigger endothelial injuries through UCA1-loaded trophoblast exosomes. 24 In the genes specifically induced by the R364X mutant, it is noticeable that the metallothionein gene cluster is upregulated.…”

Potential genetic biomarkers predict adverse pregnancy outcome during early and mid-pregnancy in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…NRAD1, also known as LINC00284, was localized to the nucleus and bound chromatin to affect gene expression (41). A recent study (42) demonstrated that NRAD1 was significantly downregulated in PE placental samples. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) exerted a variety of biological effects, including motility and proliferation, by binding to the LPA receptor LPAR1-6.…”

First Trimester Placental Biomarkers for Pregnancy Outcomes

“…However, there are currently no studies that have identified lncRNAs as first trimester diagnostic biomarkers to support the early diagnosis of placental disorders. Peñailillo et al [ 155 ] recently attempted to address this gap in the literature. Their study showed that lncRNA LOC101927355 is decreased in the placenta and maternal plasma at the time of delivery in patients with PE, for which it could represent a new potential biomarker.…”