MiR-590-3p and its targets VEGF, PIGF, and MMP9 in early, middle, and late pregnancy: their longitudinal changes and correlations with risk of fetal growth restriction

Aims The term “fetal growth restriction (FGR)” is commonly used to describe fetuses with an estimated fetal weight that is less than 10th percentile for gestational age. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal change of microRNA-590-3p (miR-590-3p), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor (PIGF), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9 expressions in early, middle, and late pregnancy, and their correlations with the fetal growth restriction (FGR) risk. Methods Totally, 970 pregnant women in early pregnancy were enrolled, and their plasma samples were, respectively, acquired in early pregnancy (at 10th or 11th week of gestational age), middle pregnancy (at 20th or 21st week of gestational age), and late pregnancy (at 33th or 34th week of gestational age) for miR-590-3p, VEGF, PIGF, and MMP9 determinations. Results MiR-590-3p underwent a growing trend, but VEGF, PIGF, and MMP9 experienced declined trend along with pregnancy (all P < 0.001). Furthermore, the negative association of miR-590-3p with VEGF, PIGF, and MMP9 became stronger along with the pregnancy. Besides, miR-590-3p expression in middle and late pregnancy was higher, but VEGF, PIGF, and MMP9 expressions in middle and late pregnancy were lower in women affected by FGR compared to normal pregnant women (all P < 0.001). In addition, miR-590-3p, VEGF, PIGF, and MMP9 expression in middle and late pregnancy were of good value in predicting FGR risk. Conclusions miR-590-3p exhibits a growing trend during pregnancy, and its expression in middle and late pregnancy is associated with increased FGR risk via interaction with VEGF, PIGF, and MMP9.