MicroRNA changes in the mouse placenta due to bisphenol A exposure

The aim of this study was to determine small RNA expression changes in mouse placenta induced by bisphenol A (BPA) exposure. The methods included exposing female mice to BPA two weeks prior to conception through gestational day 12.5; whereupon fetal placentas were collected, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80 degrees C. Small RNAs were isolated and used for small RNA-sequencing. The results showed that 43 small RNAs were differentially expressed. Target mRNAs were closely aligned to those expressed by thymus and brain, and pathway enrichment analyses indicated that such target mRNAs regulate neurogenesis and associated neurodevelopment processes. The major conclusions are that BPA induces several small RNAs in mouse placenta that might provide biomarkers for BPA exposure. Further, the placenta might affect fetal brain development through the secretion of miRs.