Differentially expressed genes in the placentas with pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction using RNA sequencing and verification.

OBJECTIVES

Pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a serious complication of pregnancy. Our study aimed to identify the DEGs and pathways in the placentas of patients with pre-eclampsia and FGR and investigated the relationships between these genes and clinical characteristics to elucidate the dysregulated placental mechanisms linked to pre-eclampsia and FGR.

METHODS

A total of 28 patients were enrolled in the study (6 individuals were selected for RNA sequencing and 22 participants was subjected to qRT-PCR). We used RNA sequencing to identify DEGs and pathways in the placenta. Ten DEGs were verified using qRT-PCR. The relationships between these DEGs and clinical characteristics were investigated using correlation analysis.

RESULTS

We detected significant molecular changes in the placentas of pre-eclampsia and FGR, encompassing diverse biological processes. SYDE1, HTRA1, and PAPPA2 expression was significantly upregulated, whereas MYL9, OLFML3, VTN, and AXNA8 expression was downregulated (p<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of SYDE1, HTRA1 and PAPPA2 displayed a positive correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, LDH and LST, while exhibiting a negative correlation with fetal weight and serum albumin. And the mRNA expression levels of MYL9, OLFML3, VTN, and ANXA8 were significantly negatively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, LDH and LST, while exhibiting a positive correlation with fetal weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found variations in gene expression and pathways in the placenta that may contribute to pre-eclampsia and FGR. Genes expressed in the placenta that are associated with clinical indicators could serve as potential biomarkers for assessing the occurrence of pre-eclampsia and FGR.