The downregulation of miR-22 and miR-372 may contribute to gestational diabetes mellitus through regulating glucose metabolism via the PI3K/AKT/GLUT4 pathway

Abstract

Background: Identifying effective regulatory mechanisms will be significant for Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: The expressions of miR-22 and miR-372 in placenta tissues from 75 pregnant women with GDM and 75 matched healthy controls and HRT8/SVneo cells (a model of insulin resistance) were analyzed by qPCR. The expressions of PI3K, AKT, IRS, and GLUT4 in high glucose-treated HRT8/SVneo cells transfected with miR-22 or miR-372 mimics or inhibitors was assessed by Western blot. A luciferase gene reporter assay was employed to verify miRNAs' target genes.

Results: The expressions of miR-22 and miR-372 in placental tissues from GDM patients and HRT8/SVneo cells were significantly decreased compared with the respective controls. The GLUT4 expression was significantly decreased in the placenta tissues of GDM and HRT8/SVneo cells with high glucose transfected with miR-22 and miR-372 inhibitors. We confirmed that SLC2A4, the gene encoding GLUT4, was a direct target of miR-22 and miR-372. In this study, we report that the lower expressions of miR-22 and miR-372 in placental tissue from GDM patients.

Conclusion: Our results further suggested that the downregulations of miR-22 and miR-372 may contribute to GDM through regulating the PI3K/GLUT4 pathway.

Keywords: GLUT4; gestational diabetes mellitus; glucose metabolism; miR-22; miR-372.