The role of microRNAs on angiogenesis and vascular pressure in preeclampsia: The evidence from systematic review

Abstract

Background: In pre-clinical stage of preeclampsia, placental angiogenesis is impaired leading to hypoxic placenta and dysregulation of pro- and anti-angiogenetic factors. As a consequence, these cause elevated systemic vascular resistance, vasoconstriction and hypertension in clinical stage of preeclampsia. Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been observed among preeclampsia patients and they are involved in several aspects of preeclampsia pathogenesis.
Aims: To evaluate the roles of miRNAs in angiogenesis and vascular pressure in preeclampsia.
Material and methods: Articles from MEDLINE database (between 2007 and February 2015) were searched by using the combination of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH terms) ‘‘preeclampsia’’, ‘‘pre-eclampsia’’, ‘‘miRNA’’ and ‘‘microRNA’’. All sources of miRNAs, all types of preeclampsia and all techniques used in measuring miRNAs were included. Furthermore, bibliographies of the articles were also retrieved for further relevant references.
Results: Data reveal that miRNAs interfere with angiogenesis during early pregnancy by dysregulating pro-angiogenic factors (such as placental growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor and insulin-like growth factor) and their receptors including Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1. In addition, miRNAs are also involved on high vascular pressure during preeclampsia by targeting several vasodilators such as prostacyclin, 17b-estradiol, hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide, and inducing the production of angiotensin type I receptor agonistic autoantibodies.
Conclusion: Data confirm that miRNAs are involved in pathobiology of preeclampsia including interference with angiogenesis during pre-clinical stage and induction of vascular resistance and vasoconstriction in clinical stage.

KEYWORDS: Preeclampsia pathogenesis; microRNA; miRNA;  Angiogenesis; Systematic review