Investigação de marcadores genéticos/bioquímicos na pré-eclâmpsia.

Abstract

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific disease characterized by new symptoms of hypertension accompanied by proteinuria and/or other signs of maternal organ dysfunction, which manifest after 20 weeks of gestation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs (19–25 nucleotides) that function in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Many studies have suggested that different microRNA expression profiles may be associated with the development of PE. Therefore, this study aims to report, through a systematic review, differentially expressed microRNAs that may be associated with the occurrence of PE and whether different microRNA expression profiles may be associated with different classifications of PE, as well as different stages of pregnancy. Other genetic and biochemical marks evaluated in the present study were: polymorphisms in the DDAH2, ACE and ESR1 genes and endocan plasma levels. Due to the impossibility of collecting biological samples from pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic, the evaluation of microRNAs involved in PE was conducted through a systematic review. This work resulted in four articles, three of which have already been published and one submitted. This study will serve as a reference to guide future experimental research. Furthermore, knowledge of the expression profiles of microRNAs associated with PE can help in the development of new protocols for early prediction of the disease.