Abstract
The processes of proliferation, migration, and invasion of extravillous trophoblasts are critical for placental implantation and early development, and directly influence pregnancy outcome. Dysregulation of these processes has been associated with placental dysfunction, implicated in clinical conditions such as preeclampsia and placental accreta. Among diverse microRNA (miRNA) species that are expressed in placental trophoblasts, members of the chromosome 19 miRNA cluster (C19MC) stand out in their nearly exclusive expression in the placenta. Recent research on the function of C19MC miRNAs in normal cell physiology and during tumorigenesis identified one C19MC member, miR-519d, as a regulator of cell migration, invasion, and interaction with the extracellular matrix. In this review, we focus on the function of miR-519d in placental trophoblasts, where miR-519d regulates cell migration and invasion, and its aberrant expression is associated with preeclampsia. In cancer, the function of miR-519d as an oncomiR or a tumor-suppressor is dependent upon the tumor type. Further research on the biological function and regulation of miR-519d may illuminate previously unknown mechanisms that control cell migration and invasion.