Differential Expression of hsa‐miR‐144‐3p and hsa‐miR‐125b‐5p in Gestational Toxoplasmosis

This study investigated whether miRNAs and cytokines could be markers of gestational and/or congenital toxoplasmosis (TX). A total of 172 clinical samples collected from women were investigated. For gestational TX, 63 plasmas from pregnant women were analysed: 44 with gestational TX (GT‐PW), 11 with asymptomatic TX (AsT‐PW) and 8 healthy pregnant women (H‐PW). For controls, 68 plasmas: 34 healthy women (HW) and 34 with asymptomatic TX (AsT). For congenital TX, 41 amniotic fluid (AF) samples were tested: 29 with negative qPCR in AF and 12 with positive PCR. Nine miRNAs were assayed by qPCR in plasma and AF samples. IFN‐γ, TNF‐α and IL‐10 detection in plasmas was performed by ELISA. Statistical analyses were determined by F ‐test and ROC curves. Among the 9 hsa‐miRNAs studied, only hsa‐miR‐125b‐5p was significantly expressed in the AsT‐PW group. hsa‐miR‐144‐3p was more expressed in the GT‐PW group. In AF samples, hsa‐miR‐125b‐5p was more expressed in 29 AF samples with Neg‐qPCR and hsa‐miR‐144‐3p in AF samples with Pos‐qPCR. Pregnant women from the GT‐PW group had lower IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, and IL‐10 production than the other groups. The in silico analyses identified pathways for hsa‐miR‐144‐3p and hsa‐miR‐125b‐5p and were related to the pathogenesis and immune response in toxoplasmosis. These findings suggest that hsa‐miR‐125b‐5p could be related to infection regulation and to be characterised as a potential marker for asymptomatic toxoplasmosis. On the other hand, the hsa‐miR‐144‐3p could be related to the exacerbation of the infection since gestational and/or congenital TX groups expressed high expression of hsa‐miR‐144‐3p and low expression of IFN‐γ, TNF‐α and IL‐10.