1.
Meta-analysis of gene expression profiles in preeclampsia.
Vennou, KE, Kontou, PI, Braliou, GG, Bagos, PG
Pregnancy hypertension. 2020;:52-60
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious complication of pregnancy. It is considered a complex condition influenced by maternal genes, environmental factors and a deregulated immune response of the mother, but the etiology is largely unknown. The aim of this study is to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in PE, to help elucidate the identification of the disease etiological mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN The databases Pubmed and GEO were searched according to PRISMA guidelines for the existence of gene expression data on placental samples from case-control studies. After meta-analysis the identified DEGs were further analyzed with STRING and PANTHER to retrieve interaction networks and overrepresented biochemical pathways. RESULTS Only 10 gene expression datasets and articles fulfilled inclusion criteria, containing data on 195 patients and 231 controls, and were analyzed. Meta-analysis identified 629 DEGs to be associated with PE at a False Discovery Rate p-value of 0.01. Network analysis showed few highly interconnected genes involved in innate immunity and signal transduction pathways indicative of a multifaceted disease with etiological heterogeneity. over representation analysis revealed that these genes participate mainly in carbohydrates, amino acids and pyrimidine metabolism, circadian clock system and signal transduction pathways. CONCLUSIONS This work, combining rigorous methods of meta-analysis and the use of modern bioinformatics tools, proposes the existence of novel, overlooked so far, biochemical pathways and mechanisms to contribute to PE development such as carbohydrate, aminoacids and pyrimidine metabolism. Our findings pave the way for further investigation of the above pathways in experimental efforts to decipher the orchestrating mechanisms for PE development.
2.
Association of vitamin D level and vitamin D deficiency with risk of preeclampsia: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis.
Akbari, S, Khodadadi, B, Ahmadi, SAY, Abbaszadeh, S, Shahsavar, F
Taiwanese journal of obstetrics & gynecology. 2018;(2):241-247
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Because of the immune modulatory effects of vitamin D3 in preeclampsia, we intend to have a systematic review and meta-analysis on association of both 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) level (parametric approach) and 25-OHD deficiency (non-parametric approach) with preeclampsia. As well, for the parametric part, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve model. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used Web of Science, PubMed and Science Direct data bases through searching in titles. Google Scholar search engine was used in order to find missing papers. Finally 23 studies were imported. Both random and fixed models were reported. RESULTS Based on the forest plot, lower levels of 25-OHD were significantly associated with risk of preeclampsia (fixed and random P < 0.001). Based on the forest plot, vitamin D deficiency (25-OHD < 20 ng/ml) was significantly associated with risk of preeclampsia (fixed P < 0.0001; random P = 0.0029; fixed OR = 1.33; random OR = 1.54). Based on ROC curve results, we found 2 cutoffs of 10.60 and 20.05 ng/ml. CONCLUSION Women with vitamin D deficiency at cutoff 20 ng/ml are more at risk of preeclampsia. This association can be specific up to 90% at 10.60 ng/ml cutoff. Treatment of vitamin D deficiency is necessary before pregnancy.