The microRNA (miR)-199a/214 cluster mediates opposing effects of progesterone and estrogen on uterine contractility during pregnancy and labor

Koriand'r C. Williams, Nora E. Renthal, Robert D. Gerard, Carole R. Mendelson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

91 Scopus citations

Abstract

Progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17β (E2) play critical and opposing roles in regulating myometrial quiescenceandcontractilityduringpregnancyandlabor. Althoughthese contrastinghormonaleffects are likely mediated via differential regulation of inflammatory and contractile genes, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Recently we discovered that targets of the microRNA (miR)-200 family, transcription factors zinc finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB)-1 and ZEB2, serve as P4/progesterone receptor-mediated regulators of uterine quiescence during pregnancy. In the present study,wefoundthat levels of the clustered miRNAs, miR-199a-3p and miR-214, were significantly decreased in laboring myometrium of pregnant mice and humans and in an inflammatory mouse model of preterm labor, whereas the miR-199a-3p/miR-214 target, cyclooxygenase-2, a criticalenzymein synthesis of proinflammatory prostaglandins, was coordinately increased. Overexpression of miR-199a-3p and miR-214 in cultured human myometrial cells inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 protein and blocked TNF-α-induced myometrial cell contractility, suggesting their physiological relevance. Notably, E2 treatment of ovariectomized mice suppressed, whereas P4 enhanced uterine miR-199a-3p/214 expression. Intriguingly, these opposing hormonal effects were mediated by ZEB1, which is induced by P4, inhibited by E2 and activates miR199a/214 transcription. Together, these findings identify miR-199a-3p/miR-214 as important regulators of myometrial contractility and provide new insight into strategies to prevent preterm birth.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1857-1867
Number of pages11
JournalMolecular Endocrinology
Volume26
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The microRNA (miR)-199a/214 cluster mediates opposing effects of progesterone and estrogen on uterine contractility during pregnancy and labor'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this