CircHIPK3 contributes to human villous trophoblast growth, migration and invasion via modulating the pathway of miR-346/KCMF1

Placenta. 2022 Feb:118:46-54. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.12.020. Epub 2021 Dec 26.

Abstract

Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The regular growth, migration and invasion of villous trophoblast cells contribute to placental development. The objective of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of circular RNA homeodomain interacting protein kinase 3 (circHIPK3) in the biological functions of trophoblast cells.

Methods: The expression of circHIPK3, microRNA-346 (miR-346) and potassium channel modulatory factor 1 (KCMF1) mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Trophoblast cell proliferation, migration/invasion and cell cycle progression/apoptosis were determined by CCK-8 assay, transwell assay and flow cytometry assay, respectively. The predicted relationship between miR-346 and circHIPK3 or KCMF1 by bioinformatics was confirmed dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay.

Results: CircHIPK3 and KCMF1 were downregulated, while miR-346 was upregulated in placenta tissues from PE patients. The forced expression of circHIPK3 promoted trophoblast cell proliferation and migration/invasion but alleviated cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. MiR-346 was a target of circHIPK3, and miR-346 restoration reversed the effects of circHIPK3 upregulation. In addition, circHIPK3 acted as miR-346 sponge to modulate KCMF1 expression. KCMF1 downregulation partially repressed trophoblast cell proliferation, migration and invasion that were facilitated by miR-346 inhibition or circHIPK3 upregulation.

Discussion: CircHIPK3 contributes to trophoblast cell proliferation, migration and invasion by upregulating KCMF1 via acting as miR-346 sponge.

Keywords: KCMF1; Preeclampsia; Trophoblast; circHIPK3; miR-346.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Movement
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Trophoblasts / physiology*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • MIRN346 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • KCMF1 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • HIPK3 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases