MicroRNA (miRNA) are small non-coding 21-23 nucleotides long one strand RNAs. They are among the major posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression that regulate both physiological and pathological processes. Some of microRNAs, amount of their expression respectively, are specific only for certain type of tissue or pathological condition. The hypothesis for my diploma thesis was that gene expression of 28 cardiovascular disease associated microRNAs (miR-1-3p, miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR- 20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-24-3p, miR-26a-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-92a-3p, miR-100-5p, miR-103a-3p, miR-125b-5p, miR-126-3p, miR-130b-3p, miR-133a-3p, miR-143-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-181-5p, miR-195-5p, miR- 199a-5p, miR-210-3p, miR-221-3p, miR-342-3p, miR-499a-5p, miR-574-3p) would differ in umbilical cord blood between groups of women with physiological pregnancies (FG), gestational hypertension (GH), preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriciton (FGR). The studied cohort consisted of 184 pregnant women involving 44 controls, 47 GH pregnancies, 56 PE pregnancies and 37 FGR pregnancies. Relative quantification of microRNAs was performed by quantitative real-time PCR. Results showed a trend to miR-195-5p down-regulation in umbilical cord blood of GH patients. On the other hand, mild PE...

Pregnancy-related complications such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, gestational diabetes mellitus, spontaneous preterm birth, and preterm premature rupture of membranes may have severe consequences for both the mother and the child. The development of reliable early screening methods for pregnancy-related complications has therefore been a long-term goal of obstetrics. New possibilities for prenatal diagnostics have opened with the discovery of circulating microRNAs in maternal plasma. MicroRNAs are short, noncoding, 21 to 23 nucleotides long, single-strand RNAs whose main function is to regulate gene expression. During pregnancy, both common and unique miRNAs are expressed by the placenta, amongst them the miRNAs of the C19MC cluster. Several C19MC miRNAs have been shown to display a different expression profile associated with certain pregnancy-related complications. This thesis identifies the plasma exosomal profiles of six C19MC miRNAs (miR-516-5p, miR-517-5p, miR-518b, miR-520a-5p, miR-520h, and miR-525-5p) in patients in their first trimester of gestation who later developed pregnancy-related complications, and compares them with profiles in patients with normal pregnancies.

The aim of this thesis was to establish methods for selected PAPP-A (Pregnancy- Associated Plasma Protein A) gene polymorphisms analysis and to study genetic background of PAPP-A and biochemical background of PAPP-A and PlGF (Placental Growth Factor) in relation to risk pregnancy. Secondly, the aim was to establish method for two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis of amniotic fluid. Methods for analysis of ten PAPP-A gene polymorphisms were established. These polymorphisms, PAPP-A and PlGF levels were studied in together 165 women in third trimester pregnancies complicated with threatening preterm labor (n=98), preeclampsia (n=35), IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) (n=34) and ICP (Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy) (n=15). 114 healthy pregnant women served as controls. The method for 2D electrophoresis of amniotic fluid was established. Preeclamptic patients had significantly higher frequency of TT genotype of Cys327Cys (C/T) PAPP-A gene polymorphism compared to controls. Patients with ICP had increased serum levels of PAPP-A compared to controls, in patients with threatening preterm labor PAPP-A levels were rather decreased. PlGF levels did not differ from control group in patients with ICP and threatening preterm labor. Positive correlation was found between PAPP-A and PlGF in group of...

The aim of this thesis was to establish methods for selected PAPP-A (Pregnancy- Associated Plasma Protein A) gene polymorphisms analysis and to study genetic background of PAPP-A and biochemical background of PAPP-A and PlGF (Placental Growth Factor) in relation to risk pregnancy. Secondly, the aim was to establish method for two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis of amniotic fluid. Methods for analysis of ten PAPP-A gene polymorphisms were established. These polymorphisms, PAPP-A and PlGF levels were studied in together 165 women in third trimester pregnancies complicated with threatening preterm labor (n=98), preeclampsia (n=35), IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) (n=34) and ICP (Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy) (n=15). 114 healthy pregnant women served as controls. The method for 2D electrophoresis of amniotic fluid was established. Preeclamptic patients had significantly higher frequency of TT genotype of Cys327Cys (C/T) PAPP-A gene polymorphism compared to controls. Patients with ICP had increased serum levels of PAPP-A compared to controls, in patients with threatening preterm labor PAPP-A levels were rather decreased. PlGF levels did not differ from control group in patients with ICP and threatening preterm labor. Positive correlation was found between PAPP-A and PlGF in group of...