Long non-coding RNAs: a summary of their roles in placenta development and pathology

Biol Reprod. 2023 Dec 22:ioad179. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioad179. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are cellular transcripts that have more than 200 nucleotides in length and do not code for proteins. Due to their low expression levels, lncRNAs were previously considered as mere transcriptional noise. However, current evidence indicates that they regulate a myriad of biological processes such as cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. Hence, their expression patterns are crucial indicators of the physiological or pathological states of cells, tissues, and organs. The utilization of lncRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the clinical management of several diseases have been suggested. Gradually, lncRNAs are gaining a substantial attention in the field of feto-maternal medicine. After embryo implantation, the interactions between the trophoblast cells from the embryo and the uterus of the mother facilitate placenta development and pregnancy progression. These processes are tightly regulated, and their impairments result in pregnancy pathologies such as miscarriage and preeclampsia. Accumulating evidence implicates lncRNAs in these processes. Herein, we have summarized the roles of several lncRNAs in human placenta development, have proposed some mechanisms by which they participate in physiological and pathological placentation, have revealed some knowledge deficits, and have recommended ideal experimental approaches that will facilitate ...
Source: Biology of Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Source Type: research