Molecular inflammation and adipose tissue matrix remodeling precede physiological adaptations to pregnancy.
Changes in adipose tissue metabolism are central to adaptation of whole body energy homeostasis to pregnancy. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms supporting tissue remodeling, we have characterized the longitudinal changes of the adipose transcriptome in human pregnancy. Healthy nonobese women recruited pregravid were followed in early (8-12 wk) and in late (36-38 wk) pregnancy. Adipose tissue biopsies were obtained in the fasting state from the gluteal depot. The adipose transcriptome was examined via whole genome DNA microarray. Expression of immune-related genes and extracellular matrix components was measured using real-time RT-PCR. Adipose mass, adipocyte size, and cell number increased in late pregnancy compared with pregravid measurements (P < 0.001) but remained unchanged in early pregnancy. The adipose transcriptome evolved during pregnancy with 10-15% of genes being differently expressed compared with pregravid. Functional gene cluster analysis revealed that the early molecular changes affected immune responses, angiogenesis, matrix remodeling, and lipid biosynthesis. Increased expression of macrophage markers (CD68, CD14, and the mannose-6 phosphate receptor) emphasized the recruitment of the immune network in both early and late pregnancy. The TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway was enhanced specifically in relation to inflammatory adipokines and chemokines genes. We conclude that early recruitment of metabolic and immune molecular networks precedes the appearance of pregnancy-related physiological changes in adipose tissue. This biphasic pattern suggests that physiological inflammation is an early step preceding the development of insulin resistance, which peaks in late pregnancy.
Center for Reproductive Health, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Dr., Cleveland, OH 44109-1998, USA.
Veronica
V
Resi
Subhabrata
S
Basu
Maricela
M
Haghiac
Larraine
L
Presley
Judi
J
Minium
Bram
B
Kaufman
Steven
S
Bernard
Patrick
P
Catalano
Sylvie
S
Hauguel-de Mouzon
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D054392:Adipokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D018925:Chemokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D017527:Receptor, IGF Type 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D059467:Transcriptome / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D054392:Adipokines; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D018925:Chemokines; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D016328:NF-kappa B; D017527:Receptor, IGF Type 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule; C495345:TLR4 protein, human