Association of aneuploidy-related miRNAs with implantation-related genes expression in human blastocysts

Abstract

Introduction :miRNAs can reflect the chromosomal conditions of the embryo, and miRNA profiles may differ in euploid and aneuploid blastocysts. Therefore, investigating the expression level of some miRNAs related to aneuploidy and euploidy, as well as mRNAs related to implantation, as predictors of blastocyst chromosomal normality, is important to help patients. Methods: In this study, 25 embryos at the blastocyst stage (aneuploidy = 17, euploidy = 8) were included in the study and the expression of miRNAs (miR-20a, miR-30c, miR-661, miR-372, miR-142, miR-191, miR-345), miR-339, miR-141 and miR-27b) as well as four genes (ERBB4, SELL, ITGB3, ITGAV) in blastocoel fluid and trophectoderm cells were separately evaluated using Real Time-PCR. Results: The levels of miR-661 and miR-20a were significantly higher in the blastocoel fluid of the aneuploid embryos compared to the euploid group (p = 0.001 and 0.004, respectively). A comparison of the mRNA levels between the aneuploid and euploid groups in the blastocoel fluid also demonstrated a significant difference in ITGAV (p = 0.01) and SELL (p = 0.03) levels. In addition, the levels of miR-30c and miR-372 were significantly lower in the trophectoderm cell of the aneuploid embryos compared to the euploid group (p = 0.008 and 0.01, respectively). A comparison of the mRNA levels between the aneuploid and euploid groups in the trophectoderm cells also demonstrated a significant difference in ITGAV (p = 0.02) and ITGB3 (p = 0.02) levels. Conclusion: It can be suggested that miR-20a, miR-661, and ITGAV, SELL levels of blastocoel fluid could be used as less-invasive biomarkers, as well as the expression of miR-30c, miR-372, and ITGAV, ITGB3 level of the trophectoderm cell to evaluate embryonic health. Keywords: euploidy, aneuploidy, miRNA, implantation, biomarker