418 Role of miRNA-452 expression in the pathogenesis of early onset preeclampsia: a case-control study

Abstract

To investigate the placental tissues expression changes of miRNA-452 in patients with Early onset preeclampsia (EOPE). A case control study included 50 pregnant women scheduled for termination of pregnancy at gestational age (28-36) weeks was conducted between January 2019 and April 2020. Women were divided into two groups: severe EOPE group (n = 30) and healthy pregnant control group (n = 20). The diagnosis of PE is based on modified American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) criteria 2014. A villus tissue was cut off immediately from the center of maternal side of the placenta, avoiding the area of infarction, bleeding or calcification. After being washed with normal saline, the tissue was preserved for subsequent detection of miR-452 expression by real time quantitative PCR (r-qPCR). Continuous data were expressed as medians. Differences between the two groups were detected using Mann-Whitney test. Nominal data were expressed as percentage, differences between the two groups were detected using Chi square test. Spearman’s correlation between placental weight and relative expression of placental miRNA-452 was used. Both groups were comparable as regard their age, body-mass index, gestational age and mode of delivery. Neonatal and placental weights were significantly higher in control group (p<0.001). miRNA-452 was significantly higher in the placentae of the PE group compared to that of the control group (7.49 vs. 1.07, p <0.001). Moreover, placental miRNA-452 had a significant negative correlation with the placental weight (r= -0.305, p <0.031) In conclusion, miRNA-452 expression in the placenta was significantly upregulated in patients with early onset PE compared to healthy pregnant women.