The MEG3 lncRNA promotes trophoblastic cell growth and invasiveness in preeclampsia by acting as a sponge for miR-21, which regulates BMPR2 levels

This study aimed to investigate the potential impact and regulatory mechanisms of bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) on the progression of PE. We obtained placental tissues from pregnant women with PE and normal pregnant women, and the results showed that BMPR2 was expressed at low levels in the tissue from PE women. Genetic knockdown of BMPR2 increased the proliferation and invasion of cultured trophoblast cells, whereas its overexpression reduced these characteristics. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter gene assays confirmed thatBMPR2 is a direct target of miR-21. Overexpression of a miR-21 inhibitor promoted the growth and invasiveness of trophoblast cells, whereas the opposite results were observed for the miR-21 mimic. Furthermore, miR-21 was sponged by the lncRNAMEG3, and shRNA inhibition ofMEG3 reduced trophoblast cell growth and invasiveness. miR-21 was upregulated in the tissues from PE women, whereasMEG3 was downregulated, and the two were negatively correlated. Collectively, this study demonstrates that the lncRNAMEG3 acts as a sponge for miR-21, which regulates BMPR2 expression and promotes trophoblast cell proliferation and invasiveness, thereby preventing the development of PE. These findings provide novel insight into a targeted therapy that could be used to treat or prevent the development of PE.

Source: European Journal of Histochemistry - November 2, 2021 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Huyi Liu, Xiangdao Cai , Jia Liu, Fengxiang Zhang , Andong He, Ruiman Li Source Type: research