Biomarker Discovered for Pregnancy-Related Heart Disease

The investigators found the expression miRNA miR-146a was induced by the nursing hormone prolactin. MiR-146a expression promoted vascular damage and was increased in a mouse model of PPCM. Conversely, loss of miR-146a in mice prevented PPCM. Plasma levels of miR-146a were significantly higher in patients with acute PPCM compared with healthy postpartum controls. Levels of miR-146a were not significantly different between healthy postpartum controls and healthy nonpregnant women. Compared with 30 patients with a similar degree of heart failure due to DCM and with no history of PPCM, miR-146a levels were significantly higher in the PPCM group.

The results of this study indicate that miR-146a mediates antiangiogenic effects of 16-kDa N-terminal prolactin fragment (16K PRL) in endothelial cells and the slowing of metabolism in cardiomyocytes. In addition, this microRNA may serve as a highly specific blood biomarker useful for diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with peripartum heart failure and appears to be a specific biomarker of PPCM. The study was published on April 24, 2013, in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

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