Relationship between microRNA expression profiling and gestational diabetes: A systematic review

Background

Gestational diabetes (GD) is one of the most common pregnancy complications, with a nearly 30% worldwide prevalence. It is a pathology that affects both the mother and the fetus. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression through complementary binding to RNA messengers (mRNA). Therefore, changes in miRNA profile could be related to the development of pathological processes.

Objectives

To determine the association between GD and miRNA expression profiles.

Methodology

Our review was carried out according to the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration and the PRISMA Statement. We previously published the protocol. First, two researchers reviewed each reference by title and abstract. Then, they scanned full texts of relevant studies, applied pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, and extracted the data.

Results

Sixty-seven studies were included in the review. Seven thousand five hundred thirty-seven gestating women were evaluated, of which 3652 had GD while 3885 were controls. Our review found 20 miRNAs: hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-17-5p, hsa-miR-19a-3p, hsa-miR-19b-3p, hsa-miR-20a-5p, hsa-miR-30d-5p, hsa-miR-92a-3p, hsa-miR-92b-3p, hsa-miR-96-5p, hsa-miR-132-3p, hsa-miR-140-3p, hsa-miR-190b, hsa-miR-222-3p, hsa-miR-330-3p, hsa-miR-342-3p, hsa-miR-423-5p, hsa-miR-508-3p, hsa-miR-518d-3p, hsa-miR-574-3p, hsa-miR-657, were reported in at least two studies with consistent levels of expression in the same type of biological sample used, which according to the studies could be associated with the presence of GD.

Conclusions

MicroRNAs are potential biomarkers in developing pathologies such as GD, with a heterogeneous group of these molecules with differential profiling among tissues.