Pre-pregnancy BMI-associated miRNA and mRNA expression signatures in the placenta highlight a sexually-dimorphic response to maternal underweight status.

ABSTRACT: Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is associated with adverse pregnancy and neonatal health outcomes, with differences in risk observed between sexes. Given that the placenta is a sexually dimorphic organ and critical regulator of development, examining differences in placental mRNA and miRNA expression in relation to pre-pregnancy BMI may provide insight into responses to maternal BMI in utero. Here, genome-wide mRNA and miRNA expression levels were assessed in the placentas of infants born extremely preterm. Differences in expression were evaluated according to pre-pregnancy BMI status (1) overall and (2) in male and female placentas separately. Overall, 719 mRNAs were differentially expressed in relation to underweight status. Unexpectedly, no genes were differentially expressed in rel

SUBMITTER: Clark J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8333418 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature