- Background and aims: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common clinical pregnant diseases with. miRNAs participate in a variety of biological functions as well as the pathogenesis of GDM. Previously, our group found by qPCR miR-370-3p differentially expressed in healthy pregnant women and GDM patients. However, the role of miR-370-3p in the placenta has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the expression and functional role of miR-370-3p in the human placenta in GDM.
- Materials and methods: Placenta explants were collected from healthy women and patients with GDM. The placenta explants and trophoblastic cell line BeWo were treated with insulin and glucose alone or combined for 48 hours. miR-370-3p and related gene and protein expression was examined by qPCR and Western blot. After transfection with miR-370-3p-mimic, cell-based functional assays including wound healing and cell proliferation have been performed in trophoblastic cell lines. The effect of miR-370-3p on AKT/Foxo1 signaling pathway was determined by using qPCR and Western blot. Results: Glucose combined with insulin effected the expression of miR-370-3p in placenta explants. However, we found miR-370-3p decreased only in samples exposed to high glucose in insulin-treated trophoblastic cell lines. p-AKT and p-Foxo1 were synchronously regulated in GDM. miR-370-3p-mimic transfection led to a decreased level of p-AKT and p-Foxo1. However, overexpression of miR-370-3p did not change the capacity of cell migration and proliferation in trophoblast cell lines.
- Conclusions: Dysregulation of miR-370-3p was found in explants from GDM placentas. Glucose and insulin alone or combined could influence the expression of miR-370-3p and AKT/Foxo1. miR-370-3p overexpression has an effect on the AKT/Foxo1 pathway. Therefore, we speculate that miR-370-3p might be a mediator involved in glucose-insulin homeostasis through controlling the AKT/Foxo1 pathway.
