Altered Circulating miRNA Expression Profile in Pregestational and Gestational Obesity

Context: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are valuable circulating biomarkers and therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases. Objective: The objective of the study was to define the pattern of circulating miRNAs in pregestational and gestational obesity and to explore their associations with maternal metabolic parameters and with markers for pre- and postnatal growth. Design, Settings, and Main Outcome Measure: TaqMan low-density arrays were used to profile plasma miRNAs in six women with pregestational obesity (PregestOB), six with gestational obesity (GestOB), and six with normal pregnancies (control) during the second trimester of gestation. The most relevant miRNAs were validated in 70 pregnant women (20 PregestOB, 25 GestOB, and 25 control). Maternal metabolic parameters including glucose, glycated hemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance, C-peptide, and lipids were assessed. Placentas were weighed at delivery and newborns also during 6 months of life. Results: We identified 13 circulating miRNAs differentially expressed in maternal obesity, including decreased levels of miR-29c, miR-99b, miR-103, miR-221, and miR-340 and increased levels of miR-30a-5p, miR-130a, and miR-150 in GestOB; and decreased levels of miR-122, miR-324-3p, miR-375, and miR-652 and increased levels of miR-625 in both PregestOB and GestOB (P < .05 to P < .0001 vs control). Decreased levels of several of these miRNAs associated with a more adverse maternal metabolic status (more pregnancy weight gain, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance, C-peptide, and triacylglycerol and less high density lipoprotein cholesterol), with more placental weight, weight at birth, and weight at 6 months of life (all P < .05 to P < .001). Conclusions: This study provides the first identification of altered circulating miRNAs in maternal obesity and suggests a possible role of such miRNAS as markers for pre- and postnatal growth.