Expression analysis of microRNAs and cytokine mRNAs in pregnancies complicated by gestational hypertension.

Objectives: Gestational hypertension (GH ¹ ) is one of the most common pregnancy-related complications, however, there is still insufficient knowledge about its development and molecular changes. The aim of our study was to examine the expression of miR-17, miR-29a and miR-181a, as well as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17 in women with GH and to investigate possible correlations between these parameters.
Study Design: The study included 64 pregnant women, placed either in the control or the GH group. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR ² ) was used to determine expression levels of microRNAs and cytokines' mRNAs.
Main Outcome Measures: Expression levels of miRNAs (miR-17, miR-29a and miR-181a) and proinflammatory cytokines mRNAs (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17) in women with gestational hypertension were compared to the control group (healthy pregnant women).
Results: No significant changes in microRNAs expression level were found between compared groups. TNF-α was significantly upregulated in the GH group compared to controls. Expression levels of other investigated cytokines did not differ between examined groups. ROC curve analysis indicated that TNF-α does not show sufficient ability to discriminate between CG and GH patients. TNF-α was significantly positively correlated with IL-1β and IL-17 and negatively correlated with miR-181a.
Conclusions: Our results point to the involvement of proinflamatory cytokines in gestational hypertension. Although increased expression of TNF-α was found in the GH group, this cytokine did not show sufficient ability to discriminate between GH and healthy pregnancies.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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