Placental and maternal sFlt1/PlGF expression in gestational diabetes mellitus

Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 27;11(1):2312. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-81785-5.

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE) are both characterized by endothelial dysfunction and GDM women have higher incidence of PE. The placenta plays a key role in PE pathogenesis but its contribution to PE during GDM remains unclear. Herein, we compared placental and maternal blood anti-angiogenic soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt1) and pro-angiogenic Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) expressions in GDM and GDM-PE pregnancies compared to controls (CTRL) and PE cases. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassays showed a significantly higher maternal blood sFlt1/PlGF values in GDM-PE relative to CTRL and GDM pregnancies. We reported that placental PlGF gene expression was significantly decreased in GDM, PE and GDM-PE relative to CTRL. However, PlGF protein levels were significantly increased in GDM and GDM-PE relative to CTRL and PE placentae. Finally, sFlt1 gene expression was significantly increased in PE relative to CTRL, GDM and GDM-PE placentae. In contrast, sFlt1 protein expression was significantly decreased in GDM-PE relative to CTRL, GDM and PE placentae. Finally, higher sFlt1/PlGF ratio in GDM-PE maternal blood suggest that sFlt1 overproduction is related to PE onset also in GDM pregnancies even though characterized by a less severe endothelial dysfunction in terms of angiogenic biomarkers.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Diabetes, Gestational / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Molecular Biology
  • Placenta / metabolism*
  • Placenta Growth Factor / genetics
  • Placenta Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • PGF protein, human
  • Placenta Growth Factor
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1