Pregnancy‐driven cardiovascular maternal miR‐29 plasticity in obesity

Background Obesity in pregnancy ( MO ) is a risk factor for maternal and/or fetal cardiovascular system disorders. This study evaluated maternal CVS expression of micro RNA ‐29 family and its target molecules in MO to test the hypotheses: CVS miR‐29 concentrations are increased in pregnancy and decreased in MO . Methods Non‐pregnant (n=4), pregnant obese ( PO b, n=4), and pregnant non‐obese (PnOb, n=4) baboons ( Papio spp.) were studied. Maternal left ventricle ( LV ), left atrium ( LA ), and aortic arch ( AA ) were collected at the end of gestation. Expression of MiR‐29 and elastin ( ELN ) mRNA were quantified. Results LA miR‐29 (a, c) expression was highest in PnOb. In the LV , miR‐29b expression trended lower ( P =.059) for PnOb animals. ELN mRNA expression correlated positively with miR‐29b expression in AA ( r =.76, P =.03). Conclusion Maternal obesity diminishes miR‐29 adaptation to pregnancy. Pharmacologic, tissue‐specific targeting of mi RNA ‐29 may represent a strategy for prevention and treatment of MO complications.