Maternal Body Mass Index Is Associated with Profile Variation in Circulating MicroRNAs at First Trimester of Pregnancy

Many women enter pregnancy with overweight and obesity, which are associated with complications for both the expectant mother and her child. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate many biological processes, including energy metabolism. Our study aimed to identify first trimester plasmatic miRNAs associated with maternal body mass index (BMI) in early pregnancy. We sequenced a total of 658 plasma samples collected between the 4th and 16th week of pregnancy from two independent prospective birth cohorts (Gen3G and 3D). In each cohort, we assessed associations between early pregnancy maternal BMI and plasmatic miRNAs using DESeq2 R package, adjusting for sequencing run and lane, gestational age, maternal age at the first trimester of pregnancy and parity. A total of 38 miRNAs were associated (FDR q < 0.05) with BMI in the Gen3G cohort and were replicated (direction and magnitude of the fold change) in the 3D cohort, including 22 with a nominal p-value < 0.05. Some of these miRNAs were enriched in fatty acid metabolism-related pathways. We identified first trimester plasmatic miRNAs associated with maternal BMI. These miRNAs potentially regulate fatty acid metabolism-related pathways, supporting the hypothesis of their potential contribution to energy metabolism regulation in early pregnancy.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify first trimester plasmatic miRNAs associated with maternal body mass index (BMI) in early pregnancy. The results showed that 38 miRNAs were associated with BMI, and 22 of them were replicated in two independent cohorts. Some of these miRNAs were enriched in fatty acid metabolism-related pathways, supporting their potential contribution to energy metabolism regulation in early pregnancy.