Deregulation of imprinted genes expression and epigenetic regulators in placental tissue from intrauterine growth restriction

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2021

Autores

Canicais, C (Autor) Outra; Vasconcelos, S (Autor) Outra; ramalho, c (Autor) Outra; Marques, CJ (Autor) FMUP; doria, s (Autor) FMUP

Revista

Título: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

ISSN: 1058-0468

Editora: Springer Nature

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 11 Citações

Scopus - 12 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-00T-94B

DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-02047-3

Abstract (EN): Purpose Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a fetal growth complication that can be caused by ineffective nutrient transfer from the mother to the fetus via the placenta. Abnormal placental development and function have been correlated with abnormal expression of imprinted genes, which are regulated by epigenetic modifications at imprinting control regions (ICRs). In this study, we analyzed the expression of imprinted genes known to be involved in fetal growth and epigenetic regulators involved in DNA methylation, as well as DNA methylation at the KvDMR1 imprinting control region and global levels of DNA hydroxymethylation, in IUGR cases. Methods Expression levels of imprinted genes and epigenetic regulators were analyzed in term placental samples from 21 IUGR cases and 9 non-IUGR (control) samples, by RT-qPCR. Additionally, KvDMR1 methylation was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing and combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) techniques. Moreover, global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation levels were also measured. Results We observed increased expression of PHLDA2, CDKN1C, and PEG10 imprinted genes and of DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, and TET3 epigenetic regulators in IUGR placentas. No differences in methylation levels at the KvDMR1 were observed between the IUGR and control groups; similarly, no differences in global DNA methylation and hydromethylation were detected. Conclusion Our study shows that deregulation of epigenetic mechanisms, namely increased expression of imprinted genes and epigenetic regulators, might be associated with IUGR etiology. Therefore, this study adds knowledge to the molecular mechanisms underlying IUGR, which may contribute to novel prediction tools and future therapeutic options for the management of IUGR pregnancies.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 11