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Biology of reproduction2016; 95(6); 124; doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.142935

Circulating miRNAs as Potential Alternative Cell Signaling Associated with Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy in the Mare.

Abstract: During early pregnancy, the conceptus and mare communicate to establish pregnancy. Cell-secreted vesicles (e.g., exosomes) have been reported in serum. Exosomes contain bioactive materials, such as miRNA, that can mediate cell responses. We hypothesized that a) exosomes are present in mare circulation and quantity varies with pregnancy status, b) exosomes contain miRNAs unique to pregnancy status, and c) miRNAs target pathways in endometrium based upon pregnancy status of the mare. First, serum samples were obtained from mares in a crossover design, with each mare providing samples from a pregnant and nonmated control cycle (n = 3/sample day) on Days 12, 14, 16, and 18 postovulation. Flow cytometry revealed the presence of serum microvesicles in mares in two different-sized populations (greater than or less than 100 nm), validated by transmission electron microscopy. Second, serum was collected on Days 9, 11, and 13 (n = 4/day), and endometrial biopsies were collected on Days 11 and 13 (n = 3/day) from pregnant and nonmated mares. Total RNA from serum exosomes was evaluated with quantitative RT-PCR using equine-specific miRNA sequences. A total of 12 miRNAs were found in different quantities on the specified days. Pathway analysis suggested that miRNAs targeted focal adhesion molecules (FAMs). Transcripts corresponding to FAMs were evaluated in endometrial biopsies. Protein levels and localization for PAK6 and RAF1 were further evaluated. Our data suggest that serum exosomes contain miRNA that differ based upon pregnancy status, and may affect mRNA expression related to focal adhesion pathway in the endometrium, with a potential role in maternal recognition of pregnancy.
© 2016 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.
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Publication Date: 2016-10-19 PubMed ID: 27760749DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.142935Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores the potential role of microRNA (miRNA) contained in tiny cell-secreted vesicles, known as exosomes, in the early stages of pregnancy in mares. The researchers hypothesize that exosomes and their miRNA content may vary depending on pregnancy status and target different pathways based on the mare’s pregnancy status.

Study Design and Methodology

  • To test their hypotheses, the researchers collected serum samples from mares in both pregnant and non-pregnant states. The samples were collected on various days after ovulation.
  • Using flow cytometry, these samples were then examined for the presence of microvesicles. The presence was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy.
  • In the subsequent part of the study, serum and endometrial biopsies were collected from mares on specific days, both from pregnant and non-pregnant mares.
  • MiRNAs from these serum exosomes were then evaluated using a technique called quantitative RT-PCR using sequences specific to equine miRNAs.

Findings and Conclusions

  • A total of 12 miRNAs were found in different quantities on specific days, suggesting that the presence of miRNAs varies depending on the pregnancy status.
  • The pathway analysis indicated that miRNAs targeted particular proteins known as focal adhesion molecules (FAMs), suggesting that these miRNAs affect the pathways involving FAMs in the endometrium.
  • The proteins levels for PAK6 and RAF1, both FAMs, were evaluated further.
  • Overall, the study concluded that serum exosomes contain specific miRNAs that differ based on pregnancy status, potentially influencing mRNA expression in the pathway involving focal adhesion in the endometrium, which could play a role in the mare’s ability to recognize pregnancy.

Cite This Article

APA
Klohonatz KM, Cameron AD, Hergenreder JR, da Silveira JC, Belk AD, Veeramachaneni DN, Bouma GJ, Bruemmer JE. (2016). Circulating miRNAs as Potential Alternative Cell Signaling Associated with Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy in the Mare. Biol Reprod, 95(6), 124. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.116.142935

Publication

Biology of reproduction
ISSN: 1529-7268
NlmUniqueID: 0207224
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 95
Issue: 6
Pages: 124

Researcher Affiliations

Klohonatz, Kristin M
  • Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Cameron, Ashely D
  • Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Hergenreder, Joanna R
  • Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
da Silveira, Juliano C
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Belk, Aeriel D
  • Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Veeramachaneni, D N R
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Bouma, Gerrit J
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Bruemmer, Jason E
  • Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado jason.bruemmer@colostate.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Endometrium / metabolism
  • Exosomes / metabolism
  • Female
  • Horses
  • MicroRNAs / blood
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Animal / metabolism

Citations

This article has been cited 25 times.
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