ABSTRACT
Objective@#Recently, microRNA (miRNA) has been identified both as a powerful regulator involved in various biological processes through the regulation of numerous genes and as an effective biomarker for the prediction and diagnosis of various disease states. The objective of this study was to identify and validate miRNAs and their target genes involved in inflammation in placental tissue. @*Methods@#Microarrays were utilized to obtain miRNA and gene expression profiles from placentas with or without inflammation obtained from nine normal pregnant women and 10 preterm labor patients. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were performed to validate the miRNAs and differentially-expressed genes in the placentas with inflammation. Correlations between miRNA and target gene expression were confirmed by luciferase assays in HTR-8/SVneo cells. @*Results@#We identified and validated miRNAs and their target genes that were differentially expressed in placentas with inflammation. We also demonstrated that several miRNAs (miR-371a-5p, miR-3065-3p, miR-519b-3p, and miR-373-3p) directly targeted their target genes (LEF1, LOX, ITGB4, and CD44). However, some miRNAs and their direct target genes showed no correlation in tissue samples. Interestingly, miR-373-3p and miR-3065-3p were markedly regulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, although the expression of their direct targets CD44 and LOX was not altered by LPS treatment. @*Conclusion@#These results provide candidate miRNAs and their target genes that could be used as placental biomarkers of inflammation. These candidates may be useful for further miRNA-based biomarker development.
ABSTRACT
The improved survival rate of premature infants requiring intensive care, shows an increased risk for nosocomial infections such as disseminated fungal infection. Renal candidasis usually occurs secondary to systemic disease, and can Iead to obstructive uropathy by fungus ball. A male neonate was born in week 28 of the gestational period. His birth weight was 1200gm. He required mechanical ventilation and surfactant for respiratory distress syndrome, umbilical artery and vein catheterization, percutaneous central veneous catheterization(PCVC) for parenteral nutrition, steroid, aminophylline and broad spectrum anibiotics. Hypertension developed on the 29th hospital day, but was not controlled by diuretics and antihypertensive drugs. on the 40th hospital day, he had abdominal distension, anuria, and azotemia. A Renal ultrasonogram showed that the ureteropelvic junction of the left kidney was completely obstructed with fungus balls. A percutaneous nephrostorny tube, made in a pigtail shape by hand, was inserted under fluoroscopy guidance, and the obstruction of the pelvis was resolved by wire manipulation. Parenteral amphotericin B and oral flucytocine were started, and the left renal pelvis was directly drained and irrigated by percutaneous nephrostomy tube. Candida albicans(C. albicuns) was cultured from urine and a percutaneous central venous catheter tip. His general condition improved, and follow up urine culture revealed no fungus. On follow-up renal ultrasonogram, renal cortex echogenicity and fungus ball had disappeared except for mild left renal calyectasis and pelvic thickening. This report describes a case of obstructive uropathy by fungus ball in systemic candidiasis of prematurity, and reviews the related literature.