Elevated Expression of lncRNA MEG3 Induces Endothelial Dysfunction on HUVECs of IVF Born Offspring via Epigenetic Regulation

Cardiovascular dysfunction in children born after in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been of great concern, the potential molecular mechanisms for such long-term outcomes are still unknown. Here, we found that systolic blood pressure was a little higher in IVF born offspring at 2 years old compared to those born after being naturally conceived. Besides, the expression level of maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) was higher in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from IVF offspring than that in spontaneously born offspring. Pearson correlation test showed that MEG3 relative expression is significantly related to the children's blood pressure (Coefficient = 0.429, P = 0.0262). Furthermore, we found decreased expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) along with elevated expression of endothelial-1(ET1) in HUVECs from IVF offspring, accompanied by lower secretion of nitrite, VEGF, and higher secretion of ET1 in the umbilical cord serum of IVF offspring. Correlation analysis showed MEG3 expression highly correlated with ET1 and Nitrate concentration. With pyrosequencing technology, we found that elevated expression of MEG3 was the result of hypomethylation of the MEG3 promoter. Therefore, our results provide a potential mechanism addressing the high-risk of hypertension in IVF offspring via MEG3 epigenetic regulation.

Automated summary

Cardiovascular dysfunction in children born after in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been a concern, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unknown. This study found that IVF born offspring had slightly higher systolic blood pressure at 2 years old compared to naturally conceived children. The expression of maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) was higher in IVF offspring's umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and correlated with their blood pressure. Additionally, IVF offspring exhibited decreased expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), along with increased expression of endothelin-1 (ET1).