Objective: This study aims to investigate the protective role of miRNA-203a-3p in preeclampsia (PE) patients via inhibiting the inflammatory key protein IL24.
Patients and methods: Serum samples of 36 PE pregnant women and 30 normal pregnant volunteers hospitalized between 2015 and 2019 were collected to extract placental mononuclear cells and exosomes. Relative levels of microRNA-203a-3p and IL24 were examined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). In addition, the interaction between microRNA-203a-3p and IL24 was analyzed through bioinformatics analysis and Luciferase reporting assay. Finally, the underlying molecular mechanisms were further explored via immunofluorescence and Western blotting.
Results: Compared with normal pregnant volunteers, microRNA-203a-3p expression in serum exosomes and placental mononuclear cells of PE patients were dramatically reduced, while IL24 was conversely up-regulated, indicating a negative correlation between microRNA-203a-3p and IL24 levels. In addition, IL24, which was down-regulated in mononuclear macrophages overexpressing microRNA-203a-3p, was indicated as a target of microRNA-203a-3p. At the same time, microRNA-203a-3p was able to suppress the proliferation capacity of LPS-stimulated mononuclear macrophages, and it exerted anti-inflammatory effects via down-regulating IL24 in THP-1 cells.
Conclusions: MicroRNA-203a-3p plays an anti-inflammatory role in PE pregnant women by down-regulating IL24 level.