Data for Placental microRNA Expression Associates with Birthweight through Control of Adipokines: Results from Two Independent Cohorts

MicroRNAs are non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. In the placenta, the master regulator of fetal growth and development, microRNAs shape the basic processes of trophoblast biology and specific microRNA have been associated with fetal growth. To comprehensively assess the role of microRNAs in placental function and fetal development, we have performed small RNA sequencing to profile placental microRNAs from two independent mother-infant cohorts: the Rhode Island Child Health Study (n=225) and the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (n=317). We modeled microRNA counts on infant birthweight percentile (BWP) in each cohort, while accounting for race, sex, parity and technical factors, using negative binomial generalized linear models.

微小RNA（MicroRNAs）是一类在转录后水平调控基因表达的非编码RNA（non-coding RNAs）。胎盘作为调控胎儿生长发育的核心器官，其中的微小RNA参与塑造滋养层生物学的核心进程，且特定微小RNA已被证实与胎儿生长状态相关。为全面评估微小RNA在胎盘功能及胎儿发育中的作用，本研究针对两个独立母婴队列开展小RNA测序（small RNA sequencing），以解析胎盘组织中微小RNA的表达谱：罗德岛儿童健康研究（Rhode Island Child Health Study，n=225）与新罕布什尔出生队列研究（New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study，n=317）。本研究采用负二项广义线性模型（negative binomial generalized linear models），在校正种族、胎儿性别、产次及技术混杂因素的前提下，对两个队列中婴儿出生体重百分位（BWP）与微小RNA计数的关联进行建模分析。