Ouyang Y, Mouillet J-F, Coyne C B, Sadovsky Y
Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.
Placenta. 2014 Feb;35 Suppl:S69-73. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2013.11.002. Epub 2013 Nov 15.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA gene products that commonly regulate mRNA expression by repression of translation and/or transcript decay. Whereas common and unique types of miRNAs are expressed by the placenta during pregnancy, the functions of most placental miRNA species are unknown. In addition to their intracellular silencing function, miRNAs are also released to the extracellular space and systemic circulation, where they can potentially target cells to regulate mRNA and protein expression, providing a non-hormonal means of intercellular communication that contributes to tissue homeostasis and disease pathophysiology. This review centers on extracellular miRNAs that originate in trophoblasts and that could mediate crosstalk between the feto-placental unit and the mother during pregnancy. We specifically detail the function of miRNAs from the primate-specific chromosome 19 miRNA cluster. These miRNAs are highly expressed in human placentas and in the serum of pregnant women. They are also packaged into extracellular vesicles of diverse sizes, including exosomes, and endow non-trophoblastic cells with resistance to a variety of viruses.
微小RNA（miRNA）是小型非编码RNA基因产物，通常通过抑制翻译和/或转录本降解来调节mRNA表达。虽然孕期胎盘会表达常见和独特类型的miRNA，但大多数胎盘miRNA种类的功能尚不清楚。除了其细胞内沉默功能外，miRNA还会释放到细胞外空间和全身循环中，在那里它们可能靶向细胞以调节mRNA和蛋白质表达，提供一种非激素的细胞间通讯方式，有助于组织稳态和疾病病理生理学。本综述聚焦于源自滋养层细胞的细胞外miRNA，其可能在孕期介导胎儿-胎盘单位与母体之间的相互作用。我们特别详细阐述了灵长类动物特有的19号染色体miRNA簇中miRNA的功能。这些miRNA在人胎盘和孕妇血清中高度表达。它们还被包装到包括外泌体在内的各种大小的细胞外囊泡中，并赋予非滋养层细胞对多种病毒的抗性。
