Do miRNAs Play a Role in Fetal Growth Restriction? A Fresh Look to a Busy Corner

• Published in: BioMed research international Vol. 2017; no. 2017; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Sapia, Fabrizio, Triolo, Onofrio, Vitale, Salvatore Giovanni, Rapisarda, Agnese Maria Chiara, Valenti, Gaetano, Palmara, Vittorio Italo, Rossetti, Diego, La Rosa, Valentina Lucia, Vaiarelli, Alberto, Lagana, Antonio Simone, Chiofalo, Benito, Granese, Roberta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 01.01.2017; Hindawi; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Age; Biomarkers; DNA methylation; Embryos; Epigenetics; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation - diagnosis; Fetal Growth Retardation - genetics; Fetal Growth Retardation - pathology; Fetus; Fetuses; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation - genetics; Growth; Humans; Hypertension; Kinases; Maternal & child health; Medical research; Medical Subject Headings-MeSH; Medicine, Experimental; MicroRNA; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - genetics; Pathogenesis; Physiological aspects; Placenta - metabolism; Placenta - pathology; Pre-Eclampsia - genetics; Pre-Eclampsia - pathology; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - genetics; Pregnancy Complications - pathology; Review; Studies; Ultrasonic imaging; Vascular endothelial growth factor
• ISSN: 2314-6133; 2314-6141; 2314-6141
• DOI: 10.1155/2017/6073167

Placenta is the crucial organ for embryo and fetus development and plays a critical role in the development of fetal growth restriction (FGR). There are increasing evidences on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in a variety of pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia and FGR. More than 1880 miRNAs have been reported in humans and most of them are expressed in placenta. In this paper, we aimed to review the current evidence about the topic. According to retrieved data, controversial results about placental expression of miRNAs could be due (at least in part) to the different experimental methods used by different groups. Despite the fact that several authors have demonstrated a relatively easy and feasible detection of some miRNAs in maternal whole peripheral blood, costs of these tests should be reduced in order to increase cohorts and have stronger evidence. In this regard, we take the opportunity to solicit future studies on large cohort and adequate statistical power, in order to identify a panel of biomarkers on maternal peripheral blood for early diagnosis of FGR.