MicroRNA-184 promotes apoptosis of trophoblast cells via targeting WIG1 and induces early spontaneous abortion

Cell Death Dis. 2019 Mar 4;10(3):223. doi: 10.1038/s41419-019-1443-2.

Abstract

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) refers to the unintentional termination of two or more consecutive pregnancies that severely threatens human reproductive health. Our previous study has shown that miR-184 is expressed more highly in RSA than in normal pregnancy, whether in the villus or decidua. In this study, compared with normal pregnant women, the expression of miR-184 in decidual stromal cells (DSCs) and decidual immune cells (DICs), as well as in peripheral blood, from RSA patients was enhanced similarly. Moreover, we found miR-184 could promote the apoptosis and repress the proliferation of trophoblast cells. Further exploration indicated that miR-184 upregulated the expression of Fas by targeting WIG1 thus inducing cell apoptosis. Finally, after miR-184 overexpression in vivo, the embryo resorption rate in pregnant mice was increased significantly. Therefore, our study outlines the pivotal role of miR-184 in maintaining successful pregnancy, providing a new diagnostic and therapeutic target for RSA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Spontaneous / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Trophoblasts / cytology*

Substances

  • MIRN184 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • ZMAT3 protein, human