title: Altered cytokine network in gestational diabetes mellitus affects maternal insulin and placental-fetal development.
abstract: Pregnancy is characterized by an altered inflammatory profile, compared to the non-pregnant state with an adequate balance between pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines needed for normal development. Cytokines are small secreted proteins expressed mainly in immunocompetent cells in the reproductive system. From early developmental stages onward, the secretory activity of placenta cells clearly contributes to increase local as well as systemic levels of cytokines. The placental production of cytokines may affect mother and fetus independently. In turn because of this unique position at the maternal fetal interface, the placenta is also exposed to the regulatory influence of cytokines from maternal and fetal circulations, and hence, may be affected by changes in any of these. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an overall alteration of the cytokine network. This review discusses the changes that occur in cytokines post GDM and their negative effects on maternal insulin and placental-fetal development.
authors.affiliation: Stanford University, Program in Human Biology, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wedekind
authors.affiliation: University of Houston, Departments of Biology and Biochemistry, Houston, TX, 77204, USA. Electronic address: lbelkace@central.uh.edu.
authors.forename: Louiza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Belkacemi
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007328:Insulin
keywords: Cytokines; Gestational diabetes; Insulin resistance; Macrosomia; Placenta