Contribution of regulatory T cells to immune tolerance and association of microRNA-210 and Foxp3 in preeclampsia

Increasing evidence suggests that an exaggerated maternal systemic inflammatofrery response may play a central role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). Considering the growing evidence on microRNAs (miRNAs) and tissue-specific regulators of gene expression, we investigated the potential association of miR-210 and forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) in preeclamptic patients. Serum levels of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-17, and transforming grown factor-β1 were detected with ELISA. Reverse-transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect mRNA expression for maternal placenta retinoic acid-related orphan receptor C, Foxp3 and miRNA (miR)-210. Foxp3 protein expression was evaluated by western blot analysis. Serum levels of cytokines IL-10 were significantly lower in preeclamptic patients than in normal pregnant women. mRNA expression of Foxp3 was significantly lower in placenta of PE. mRNA expression of miR-210 was significantly increased in PE. Results of western blot analysis indicated that Foxp3 protein expression was lower in PE than in normal pregnant women. Our data suggest that PE manifests as a decreased number of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which regulate maternal tolerance of the fetus. In placenta from women with PE, compared with normal pregnant women, mRNA expression of Foxp3 was significantly decreased, and expression of miR-210 was significantly increased.