MicroRNAs as potential indicators of the development and progression of uterine leiomyoma

PLoS One. 2022 May 31;17(5):e0268793. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268793. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Recent studies demonstrated a significant role of several microRNAs (miRs) in the development of leiomyoma. Here, we investigated miR expression profiles using microarray and found a significantly higher expression of miRs in leiomyoma than in adjacent myometrium. We also confirmed the upregulation of five selected miRs including miR-181a-5p, 127-3p, 28-3p, 30b-5p and let-7c-5p in cellular proliferation, extracellular matrix turnover, and angiogenesis by RT-qPCR. Interestingly, the miRs showed a higher expression in cases of large leiomyoma or in patients with a history of transfusion due to anemia. We then analyzed the expression of the miR target molecules including Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 2 (TGFBR2) and Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 mRNA Binding Protein 1 (IGF2BP1) via immunohistochemistry. TGFBR2 and IGF2BP1 were positively stained in 81% and 62.5% of leiomyoma tissues but not in adjacent myometrium. Both were more frequently positive in patients with ≥ 6 cm leiomyoma and mass effect. The mean expression levels of miR-181a-5p, 127-3p, 28-3p, 30b-5p and let-7c-5p were higher in cases with TGFBR2 and IGF2BP1 positive leiomyoma. We observed several miRs were overexpressed in leiomyoma tissues, and these results provide insight into the role of miRs in the development and progression of leiomyoma and underscore the need to validate their utility as diagnostic or therapeutic targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Proliferation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leiomyoma* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II / genetics
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Institute of Clinical Medicine Research of Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital, Research Fund, 2018. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Our data was listed in supplementary data.