Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome-mediated transfer of microRNA-133b boosts trophoblast cell proliferation, migration and invasion in preeclampsia by restricting SGK1

Objective Exosomes have been documented to function in human diseases, yet their transfer of microRNA (miRNA) in preeclampsia (PE) has seldom been reported. This study intends to discuss the role of miR-133b derived from exosomes in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) in trophoblast cell development in PE. Methods Placentas from PE patients and normal pregnant women were collected. The hUC-MSCs and their exosomes were obtained and identified. Trophoblast cell HPT-8 and HTR8-S/Vneo were obtained and co-cultured with hUC-MSCs-derived exosomes that had been transfected with different miR-133b plasmids. MiR-133b and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) expression in placental tissues and HPT-8 and HTR8-S/Vneo cells was determined. HTR8-S/Vneo and HPT-8 cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis rate, migration and invasion were detected. Results MiR-133b was down-regulated and SGK1 was up-regulated in placental tissues of PE patients. MiR-133b expression was inversely related to SGK1 expression in HTR8-S/Vneo and HPT-8 cells co-cultured with hUC-MSC-derived exosomes. Exosomes promoted HTR8-S/Vneo and HPT-8 cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities, cell cycle entry and inhibited apoptosis. Elevated exosome-derived miR-133b from hUC-MSCs boosted HTR8-S/Vneo and HPT-8 cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration and invasion and limited cell apoptosis. MiR-133b targeted SGK1. Conclusion Collectively, we demonstrate that miR-133b is down-regulated and SGK1 is up-regulated in PE, and miR-133b derived from exosomes in hUM-MSCs facilitates trophoblast cell proliferation, migration and invasion in PE via constraining SGK1.