Gestational hypercholesterolemia alters fetal hepatic lipid metabolism and microRNA expression in Apo-E-deficient mice

Maternal hypercholesterolemia (MHC) is a pathological condition characterized by an exaggerated rise in maternal serum cholesterol during gestation, which can alter offspring hepatic lipid metabolism. However, the extent that these maladaptations occur during gestation and the molecular mechanisms involved remain unknown. MicoRNAs (miRNA) are small, noncoding RNAs that contribute to the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Therefore, we sought to determine the degree to which in utero exposure to excessive cholesterol affects fetal hepatic lipid metabolism and miRNA expression. Twelve female apoE_/_ mice were randomly assigned to two different chow-based diets throughout gestation: Control (CON) or the CON diet with cholesterol (0.15%). MHC reduced maternal fecundity and reduced litter size and weight. On gestational day 18, fetuses from MHC dams possessed increased placental cholesterol and hepatic triglycerides (TG), which were accompanied by a downregulation in the expression of hepatic lipogenic and TG synthesis and transport genes. Furthermore, fetal livers from MHC mothers showed increased miRNA-27a and reduced miRNA-200c expression. In summary, in utero exposure to MHC alters fetal lipid metabolism and lends mechanistic insight that implicates early changes in miRNA expression that may link to later-life programming of disease risk.