Extracellular vesicle RNA s reflect placenta dysfunction and are a biomarker source for preterm labour

Preterm birth ( PTB ) can lead to lifelong complications and challenges. Identifying and monitoring molecular signals in easily accessible biological samples that can diagnose or predict the risk of preterm labour ( PTL ) in pregnant women will reduce or prevent PTB s. A number of studies identified putative biomarkers for PTL including protein, mi RNA and hormones from various body fluids. However, biomarkers identified from these studies usually lack consistency and reproducibility. Extracellular vesicles ( EV s) in circulation have gained significant interest in recent years as these vesicles may be involved in cell‐cell communication. We have used an improved small RNA library construction protocol and a newly developed size exclusion chromatography ( SEC )‐based EV purification method to gain a comprehensive view of circulating RNA in plasma and its distribution by analysing RNA s in whole plasma and EV ‐associated and EV ‐depleted plasma. We identified a number of mi RNA s in EV s that can be used as biomarkers for PTL , and these mi RNA s may reflect the pathological changes of the placenta during the development of PTL . To our knowledge, this is the first study to report a comprehensive picture of circulating RNA , including RNA in whole plasma, EV and EV ‐depleted plasma, in PTL and reveal the usefulness of EV ‐associated RNA s in disease diagnosis.