Abstract
The current study examined micro RNA (miRNAs) clusters from the maternal plasma to determine their association with preterm birth (PTB) and infant birth outcomes. A subsample of 42 participants who spontaneously delivered either preterm (≤37 weeks) or term was selected from a parent sample of 515 pregnant Mexican American women. Plasma samples and prenatal data were collected at a single mid-gestation time point (22–24 weeks’ gestation) and birth outcomes were obtained from medical records after delivery. Circulating miRNAs were analyzed by qPCR. When miRNAs were grouped according to chromosomal cluster rather than expression level, individual miRNAs correlated strongly with other individual miRNAs within their respective genomic locus. miRNAs from the c19mc cluster negatively correlated with c14mc miRNAs, and this relationship was more pronounced in PTB. Clusters c14mc was negatively associated with length of gestation; while the c19mc was positively associated with length of gestation and infant head circumference. Together, these findings suggest that groups of miRNAs from common chromosomal clusters, rather than individual miRNAs, operate as co-regulated groups of signaling molecules to coordinate length of gestation and infant outcomes. From this evidence, differences in cluster-wide expression of miRNAs are involved in spontaneous PTB.
Highlights
Preterm birth (PTB), or gestational length 37 weeks, is probably the most significant obstetrical problem we currently face
No other group differences were observed between term and PTB samples for any other individual miRNAs from the c14mc cluster; nor were any group difference observed between individual miRNAs from the c19mc or miR-17/ 92 cluster
Findings from the current study provide a novel perspective by examining cluster-wide associations between circulating miRNAs and birth outcomes
Summary
Preterm birth (PTB), or gestational length 37 weeks, is probably the most significant obstetrical problem we currently face. Babies born too soon and too small often have multiple problems such as respiratory problems, intraventricular hemorrhages, necrotizing colitis and neurodevelopmental delays [1]. PTB is currently the primary reason for newborn mortality [2]. The primary monetary costs of PTB total to approximately $26 billion per year in the U.S [1]. The secondary burdens of PTB may be even greater due to the lifelong health impact of premature birth [3]. Further understanding of the multifactorial etiologies that may affect PTB and related poor birth outcomes is still vitally needed. Scientists need to contemplate multiple risk factors and pathways leading to PTB—as
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