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PloS one2017; 12(4); e0175045; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175045

Evaluation of circulating miRNAs during late pregnancy in the mare.

Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs which are produced throughout the body. Individual tissues tend to have a specific expression profile and excrete many of these miRNAs into circulation. These circulating miRNAs may be diagnostically valuable biomarkers for assessing the presence of disease while minimizing invasive testing. In women, numerous circulating miRNAs have been identified which change significantly during pregnancy-related complications (e.g. chorioamnionitis, eclampsia, recurrent pregnancy loss); however, no prior work has been done in this area in the horse. To identify pregnancy-specific miRNAs, we collected serial whole blood samples in pregnant mares at 8, 9, 10 m of gestation and post-partum, as well as from non-pregnant (diestrous) mares. In total, we evaluated a panel of 178 miRNAs using qPCR, eventually identifying five miRNAs of interest. One miRNA (miR-374b) was differentially regulated through late gestation and four miRNAs (miR-454, miR-133b, miR-486-5p and miR-204b) were differentially regulated between the pregnant and non-pregnant samples. We were able to identify putative targets for the differentially regulated miRNAs using two separate target prediction programs, miRDB and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. The targets for the miRNAs differentially regulated during pregnancy were predicted to be involved in signaling pathways such as the STAT3 pathway and PI3/AKT signaling pathway, as well as more endocrine-based pathways, including the GnRH, prolactin and insulin signaling pathways. In summary, this study provides novel information about the changes occurring in circulating miRNAs during normal pregnancy, as well as attempting to predict the biological effects induced by these miRNAs.
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Publication Date: 2017-04-07 PubMed ID: 28388652PubMed Central: PMC5384662DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175045Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 research paper investigates the changes in circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in horses during late pregnancy, identifying five miRNAs of interest. These findings contribute to the understanding of the biological effects these miRNAs may induce during this period.

Background

  • The paper focuses on miRNAs, non-coding RNAs found throughout the body. Individual tissues express these miRNAs in specific profiles and release many into circulation, potentially offering useful biomarkers for diagnosing disease with minimal invasive testing.
  • Prior studies have identified numerous circulating miRNAs showing significant changes during pregnancy complications in women, such as chorioamnionitis, eclampsia, and recurrent pregnancy loss.
  • However, studies in the realm of equine pregnancy have been absent, which instigated the present research.

Methodology

  • The researchers collected whole blood samples from pregnant mares multiple times during different months of gestation and post-partum, as well as from non-pregnant mares.
  • Out of a panel of 178 miRNAs, they used quantitative PCR to evaluate each miRNA for any significant changes in expression during pregnancy.

Findings

  • The study discovered five miRNAs of interest, out of which one (miR-374b) was differentially regulated during late gestation.
  • The other four miRNAs (miR-454, miR-133b, miR-486-5p, and miR-204b) displayed differential regulation between the pregnant and non-pregnant samples.
  • To understand the biological implications of these changes, the researchers used two separate target prediction programs (miRDB and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis) to identify potential targets for the differentially regulated miRNAs.

Implications

  • The potential targets for the differentially regulated miRNAs were predicted to participate in signaling pathways like the STAT3 pathway, the PI3/AKT signaling pathway, and endocrine-related pathways like the GnRH, prolactin, and insulin signaling pathways.
  • This data contributes valuable insights on the alterations happening in circulating miRNAs during normal pregnancy and attempts to highlight the possible biological effects prompted by these miRNAs.

Cite This Article

APA
Loux SC, Scoggin KE, Bruemmer JE, Canisso IF, Troedsson MH, Squires EL, Ball BA. (2017). Evaluation of circulating miRNAs during late pregnancy in the mare. PLoS One, 12(4), e0175045. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175045

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 4
Pages: e0175045
PII: e0175045

Researcher Affiliations

Loux, Shavahn C
  • Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America.
Scoggin, Kirsten E
  • Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America.
Bruemmer, Jason E
  • Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America.
Canisso, Igor F
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States of America.
Troedsson, Mats H T
  • Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America.
Squires, Edward L
  • Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America.
Ball, Barry A
  • Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horses
  • MicroRNAs / blood
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Animal / blood
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Conflict of Interest Statement

One of our funding sources was a commercial source: the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners. Although this is a commercial association, there are no ties to them through employment, consultancy, patents, products in development or marketed products. This group is comprised of local horse owners and breeders who are interested in learning more about the biology of pregnancy in the hopes of eventually reducing the incidence of late-term abortions in their own stock. Funding from this source does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

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