Maternal diabetes induces changes in the umbilical cord gene expression.
BACKGROUND
Since maternal diabetes may affect fetal development and the umbilical cord provides an extension of the fetal vasculature, we decided to investigate cords' biological responses to maternal diabetic milieu.


METHODS
Using microarray analysis, we determined the gene expression profiles in the umbilical cords of six neonates born to type 1 diabetic mothers and in six control cords. Umbilical cord tissue was collected immediately after elective cesarean section. Expression data were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (11 genes). Additionally, the same umbilical cords were analyzed histologically.


RESULTS
Two hundred eighty six genes were differentially expressed in the umbilical cords from diabetic pregnancies compared to the controls (fold change ±1.5 and P < 0.01). Maternal diabetes had a major effect on the expression of genes involved in vascular development (Bone morphogenetic protein 4, Delta-like 1, and Notch homolog 4), vessel wall integrity (Collagen type VIII alpha 1, Myocyte enhancer factor 2C, and Matrix metalloproteinase 2), and vascular function (Natriuretic peptide precursor B, Endothelin 1, Endothelin receptor B, Cyclooxygenase 1, and Phosphodiesterase 5A). Maternal diabetes was associated with thicker umbilical vein intima-media layers and larger umbilical vein and artery intima-media areas compared to the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal diabetic environment seems to alter umbilical cord expression of genes involved in the regulation of vascular development and function with simultaneous umbilical vessel muscle layer thickening. These alterations suggest vascular phenotypic modifications, which in turn may lead to long-term vascular consequences in various tissues in infants of diabetic mothers.
Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine (CAPC), University of Turku, Finland; Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Finland. Electronic address: anviar@utu.fi.
A
A
Koskinen
Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine (CAPC), University of Turku, Finland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital, Finland.
L
L
Lehtoranta
Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku, Finland.
A
A
Laiho
Department of Pathology, Turku University Hospital, Finland.
J
J
Laine
Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine (CAPC), University of Turku, Finland; Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Finland.
P
P
Kääpä
Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine (CAPC), University of Turku, Finland; Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Finland.
H
H
Soukka
D000328:Adult; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000254:growth & development; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D059467:Transcriptome; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000473:pathology
Gene expression; Microarray; Newborn; Pregnancy; Type 1 diabetes