MiR-222-5p promotes the growth and migration of trophoblasts by targeting AHNAK.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to detect microRNA-222-5p (miR-222-5p) levels in placental tissues of preeclampsia (PE) pregnancies, and to explore the role of miR-222-5p in the proliferative and migratory potentials of trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo. PATIENTS AND METHODS Expression levels of miR-222-5p and AHNAK in placental tissues of PE pregnancies (n=24) and healthy pregnancies (n=24) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Potential influences of miR-222-5p and AHNAK on proliferative, migratory and apoptotic potentials in HTR-8/SVneo cells were examined. At last, Luciferase assay was conducted to illustrate the interaction between miR-222-5p and AHNAK in trophoblasts. RESULTS It was found that miR-222-5p was downregulated in placental tissues of PE pregnancies. Overexpression of miR-222-5p stimulated proliferative and migratory potentials, and inhibited apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Moreover, AHNAK was the target gene binding to miR-222-5p, and overexpression of AHNAK inhibited proliferative and migratory potentials and promoted apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo cells. CONCLUSIONS MiR-222-5p stimulates proliferative and migratory potentials and inhibits apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo cells by negatively regulating AHNAK.