Maternal Diabetes Impairs Insulin and IGF-1 Receptor Expression and Signaling in Human Placenta

• Published in: Frontiers in endocrinology (Lausanne) 2021-03, Vol.12, p.621680-621680
• Main Authors: Tumminia, Andrea, Scalisi, Nunzio M, Milluzzo, Agostino, Ettore, Giuseppe, Vigneri, Riccardo, Sciacca, Laura
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adverse outcomes; Endocrinology; gestational diabetes; HbA1c; insulin receptor; placenta; type 1 diabetes
• ISSN: 1664-2392; 1664-2392
• DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.621680

Maternal high blood glucose during pregnancy increases the risk for both maternal and fetal adverse outcomes. The mechanisms underlying the regulator effects of hyperglycemia on placental development and growth have not been fully illustrated yet. The placenta expresses high amounts of both insulin receptor (IR) and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R). It has been reported that the placenta of diabetic women has structural and functional alterations and the insulin/IGF system is likely to play a role in these changes. The aim of the present study was to measure the content of IR and IGF-1R and their phosphorylation in the placenta of women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) or with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared to women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) during pregnancy. Placental tissues were obtained from 80 Caucasian women with a singleton pregnancy. In particular, we collected placenta samples from 20 T1D patients, 20 GDM patients and 40 NGT women during pregnancy. Clinical characteristics and anthropometric measures of all women as well as delivery and newborn characteristics were recorded. Patients were also subdivided on the basis of peripartum glycemia either ≥90 mg/dl or