LncRNA PSMA3-AS1 promotes preterm delivery by inducing ferroptosis via miR-224-3p/Nrf2 axis

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2023 Dec 10;69(13):270-278. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2023.69.13.40.

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a vital potential in premature delivery. This research was intended to explore PSMA3-AS1's role in premature delivery as well as its possible molecular mechanism. We enrolled 100 premature delivery patients and 100 term patients. Fetal membranes were collected. RT-qPCR was adopted for evaluating PSMA3-AS1, miRNA-224-3p, along with Nrf2 expression. Cell function experiments were implemented to clarify PSMA3-AS1 functions in human trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cells. Rescue together with mechanistic experiments were implemented for assessing the regulatory function and interaction between miR-224-3p and PSMA3-AS1 or Nrf2 axis in human trophoblast cells. The results uncovered that PSMA3-AS1 level presented downregulation in the fetal membrane tissues and human trophoblast cells. Overexpressed PSMA3-AS1 enhanced cell proliferation but suppressed ferroptosis in human trophoblast cells. Besides, PSMA3-AS1 elevation also attenuated the LPS-induced inflammatory response and restored the LPS-induced upregulation of 20α-HSD and downregulation of progesterone (P4). Mechanistically, miR-224-3p could bind to PSMA3-AS1 and present upregulation in fetal membranes and human trophoblast cells. Notably, overexpressed miR-224-3p offset the influences of PSMA3-AS1 on human trophoblast cell proliferation and ferroptosis. Furthermore, Nrf2 was targeted by miR-224-3p. Downregulated Nrf2 offset the influences of the miR-224-3p inhibitor and induced HTR-8/SVneo dysfunction. Additionally, Nrf2 transcriptionally activated PSMA3-AS1 and GPX4. In conclusion, PSMA3-AS1 expression is low during premature delivery and overexpressing PSMA3-AS1 promotes proliferation and suppresses ferroptosis of human trophoblast cells by interacting with miR-224-3p to downregulate Nrf2. Therefore, enhancing PSMA3-AS1 expression may be a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent premature delivery.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Female
  • Ferroptosis*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / genetics
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth* / genetics
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / metabolism

Substances

  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • MicroRNAs
  • MIRN224 microRNA, human
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • PSMA3 protein, human
  • RNA, Long Noncoding