Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is known to increase the risk for feto-maternal complications during pregnancy. A state of low-grade inflammation, with elevated levels of proinflammatory molecules, similar to patients with obesity or diabetes mellitus type 2 has also been partly described in GDM. The placenta, as unique interface between mother and fetus, is not only passively affected by changes in one of these organisms, but also acts as a modulator by expressing hormones and cytokines. This study aimed to investigate the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines Interleukin (IL) 7, 8 and 15 in GDM in placental tissue. A total number of 80 placentas were included (40 GDM/40 control group). The expression of IL-7, 8 and 15 was investigated in extravillous trophoblast (EVT) and syncytiotrophoblast (SCT) by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence double staining. The immunohistochemical staining was evaluated with the semiquanitfied immunoreactive score (IRS). While the expression IL-15 was significantly upregulated in EVTs of women with GDM. The expression of IL-8 was significantly decreased in EVT of the GDM group. Furthermore, significant fetal sex specific differences were detectable in all three cytokines. Our findings suggest an involvement of the investigated cytokines in the maintenance of a state of chronic low-grade inflammation on placental level in patients suffering from GDM.
Highlights
Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of gestational diabetes (GDM) has increased over the past decades
IL-7 expression could be identified in the extravillous trophoblast (EVT) of placentas with gestational diabetes, as well as in those of the control group
The IL-7 expression was stronger in placentas with Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in comparison to normal placentas even though without reaching statistical significancy
Summary
Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of gestational diabetes (GDM) has increased over the past decades. This condition is increasing parallell to the rising prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes [1,2,3]. Elevated intrauterine glucose levels, due to diet-treated gestational diabetes or type 1 diabetes, increase the probability of developing type 2 diabetes in adult life [8]. GDM is based on the same risk factors as diabetes mellitus type 2, i.e., obesity, lack of exercise and genetic disposition. A state of low-grade inflammation, with elevated levels of proinflammatory molecules, could be detected in patients with obesity and is known to promote insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus type 2 [13,14]. While some studies report increased levels of proinflammatory molecules, others could not affirm these findings [15,16]
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