Elevated miR‐200a and miR‐141 inhibit endocrine gland‐derived vascular endothelial growth factor expression and ciliogenesis in preeclampsia

Abstract

Endocrine gland‐derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG‐VEGF) is a critical factor that facilitates trophoblast invasion in placenta. Plasma miR‐141 and miR‐200a levels were elevated, while EG‐VEGF was decreased in peripheral blood and placenta of preeclamptic patients. Furthermore, numbers of cilia in the placenta from preeclamptic women were significantly decreased. Elevated miR‐141 and miR‐200a inhibited the expression of EG‐VEGF, downstream extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)/matrix metalloproteinase 9 signalling and cilia formation, thus leading to defective trophoblast invasion. The growth of the primary cilium, which transduced ERK signalling upon EG‐VEGF induction for proper trophoblast invasion, was also inhibited by miR‐141 and miR‐200a upregulation.