title: Expression changes of sex hormone binding globulin in GDM placental tissues.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the expression of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in normal placental tissues with placental tissues from patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to deduce the mechanism affecting placental SHBG in GDM.
  
  
  METHODS
  We detected SHBG localization and measured SHBG mRNA and protein using immunohistochemistry, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting, respectively, in normal and GDM placental tissues. The distribution of SHBG in placental cells was examined using immune electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to controls, placental tissues from patients in the GDM group displayed disordered cell surface microvilli that were decreased in quantity, swollen, and had narrowed and broken gap junctions. Intracellular abnormalities included expanded rough endoplasmic reticula, swollen mitochondria, and irregular nuclear morphologies with non-uniform chromatin. SHBG localized primarily to trophoblast cell membranes and cytoplasm. SHBG was strongly expressed on the microvilli side and weakly expressed on the basement membrane with uneven staining. SHBG also was expressed in villous stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells. Compared to the controls, placental tissues from the GDM group displayed significantly decreased immunostaining rates for SHBG, as well as significantly lower levels of SHBG mRNA and protein expression (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SHBG was detected in placental trophoblast cells from patients with GDM, and the synthesis and secretion of SHBG were reduced when trophoblast cells were irregular. A decrease in SHBG could affect placental function or aggravate GDM. Our results suggest that placental SHBG plays an important role in the pathogenesis of GDM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital Affi liated to China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Weiping
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Xinshu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Yanan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wanting
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ai
authors.forename: Pinting
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin