Grant: China-Canada Joint Health Research Initiative

Preeclampsia (PE) is a major disorder of pregnancy and a leading cause of maternal death and stillbirth. Currently, there are no early diagnostic markers to predict PE and the only effective intervention is delivery. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that play important roles in controlling gene expression. In 2009, we received a China-CIHR joint health initiative grant to study miRNAs in PE. This seed grant has allowed us to establish a highly productive collaboration and let to the identification of key miRNAs that have abnormal levels in PE patients. We discovered several miRNAs that are up- or down-regulated, in the placenta and plasma of pregnant women before they developed symptoms of PE, raising the exciting possibility of using them as predictive biomarker. We also found that these miRNAs regulate placental cell invasion. We propose that abnormal levels of these miRNAs (miR-210, -18a, -19b, and -92a) lead to the development of PE. In this study, we will investigate how these miRNAs are involved in PE and if they can be used as predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this disease. We have collected thousand of blood samples from pregnant women and will determine if miR-210, miR-18a, miR-19b, and miR-92a levels in early pregnancy can predict the onset of PE later on. We will also use human placental cells and tissues to determine the function of these miRNAs. Finally, we will generate mice that either have more miR-210 or have no mir-17-92 in the placenta and determine if these will induce PE like symptoms. We will then develop strategies to manipulate the level of these miRNAs and test if they can prevent or reverse PE. This joint grant will allow us to combine expertise and valuable resources to conduct cutting edge research, which will result in the development of novel strategies for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of PE. Therefore, the proposed study will be beneficial not only to China and Canada, but also around the world.