The role of alternative splicing in the fetal growth restriction pathogenesis

Abstract

Alternative splicing of mRNA (AS) is a key stage of gene expression post-transcriptional regulation, ensuring the various RNA isoforms expression. This mechanism plays an important role in the placenta development and function. The study focuses on decidual cells, which play a crucial role in both maintaining physiological pregnancy and the obstetric complications development. The research involved deep whole transcriptome sequencing with a detailed analysis of AS events in placental tissue under physiological pregnancy and fetal growth restriction. In decidual cells with fetal growth restriction, 8770 AS events were identified for 5411 genes, whereas in physiological pregnancy, 6489 events were detected for 4195 genes, suggesting a broader AS landscape in the disease. The analysis of differential AS between groups identified 51 genes involved in the fibroblast growth factor and Wnt signaling pathways, whose disruption may contribute to the fetal growth restriction development, as they play a crucial role in maintaining physiological pregnancy.