Exosome proteomics reveals the deregulation of coagulation, complement and lipid metabolism proteins in gestational diabetes mellitus

Exosomes are the smallest extracellular vesicles which are released during pregnancy by the placenta, umbilical cord, amniotic fluid and various cell membranes in the extracellular space. The content of exosomes during pregnancy is strongly related to various conditions such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Although it is well-known that GDM is characterized by different levels of chronic low-grade inflammation, complement system dysregulation, vascular dysfunction and platelet activation, there is little data characterizing the serum exosomal protein cargo of GDM patients and their associations to these processes. The aim of this study was to analyze the serum exosomal proteome of GDM patients, with focus on the platelet activation and the complement proteins and their relationship to serum biochemical parameters and other protein markers of lipid metabolism and prothrombotic factors.

外泌体（Exosomes）是一类最小的细胞外囊泡，在妊娠期间由胎盘、脐带、羊水及细胞外间隙中的各类细胞膜释放产生。妊娠期间外泌体的丰度与妊娠糖尿病（Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, GDM）等多种妊娠相关病理状态密切相关。尽管已有研究证实妊娠糖尿病以不同程度的慢性低度炎症、补体系统失调、血管功能异常及血小板活化为典型特征，但目前针对妊娠糖尿病患者血清外泌体蛋白载荷特征及其与上述病理过程关联的研究数据仍较为匮乏。本研究旨在分析妊娠糖尿病患者的血清外泌体蛋白质组，重点聚焦血小板活化相关蛋白、补体蛋白，并探究其与血清生化指标、脂质代谢相关蛋白标志物及促血栓形成因子之间的关联。