Relevance of MicroRNA-122 to pathogenesis of preeclampsia in rats

Aims: This study aims to investigate the role of MicroRNA-122 (miR122) in preeclampsia development. Methods: miR122 and its target gene potassium channel modulatory factor 1 (KCMF1) expressions were compared in placentas respectively from healthy pregnant and preeclampsia rats. The effects of miR122 on expression of KCMF1 was investigated in HTR8/SVneo cells. The role of miR122 and KCMF1 in cell migration and invasion was investigated. Results: The levels of KCMF1 were significantly lower in preeclamptic placenta tissues, which was inversely correlated with the level of miR122. KCMF1 was validated as the target of miR122 using realtime PCR and Western blotting in HTR8/SVneo cells. miR122 inhibited the migration, invasion and proliferation of trophoblast cells, and this inhibition was abrogated by the overexpression of KCMF1. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha could upregulate miR122 while suppressing KCMF1 expression in HTR8/SVneo cells. Conclusion: Aberrant miR122 expression may contribute to preeclampsia by interfering with KCMF1-mediated signaling.