Introduction: Appropriate implantation of trophoblast cells is necessary for successful pregnancy outcome. This process requires proper migration and invasion of trophoblast cells into the maternal endometrium and the myometrium. Dysregulation of circulating microRNAs in preeclampsia has been reported in several studies. Furthermore, miR-486-5p was reportedly increased within exosomes derived from maternal circulation in preeclamptic pregnancy. However, the roles of elevated miR-486-5p in preeclampsia has not yet been clarified.
Methods: HTR8/SVneo trophoblast cells were transfected with miR-486-5p, and the ARHGAP5 expression was examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. A reporter assay using a luciferase construct containing the ARHGAP5 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) was performed to determine whether or not ARHGAP5 is a direct target of miR-486-5p. Changes in migration and invasion abilities were examined by a wound healing assay and invasion assay, respectively.
Results: The ARHGAP5 expression was significantly decreased in miR-486-5p-transfected cells according to RT-qPCR and Western blotting. A dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that miR-486-5p acts directly on the 3'UTR of ARHGAP5 mRNA. The migration and invasion abilities were suppressed in miR-486-5p-transfected cells. Downregulation of ARHGAP5 by small interfering RNA transfection inhibited trophoblast cell migration and invasion, resembling that of miR-486-5p transfection.
Discussion: The migration and invasion abilities of HTR8/SVneo cells were suppressed by miR-486-5p at least partly through inhibiting the ARHGAP5 expression. These data suggest that miR-486-5p is involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and that miR-486-5p is a viable potential biomarker for predicting the onset risk of preeclampsia.
Keywords: ARHGAP5; HTR8/SVneo; Preeclampsia; Trophoblast cells; miR-486-5p.
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