Serum exosomal miRNA profile in pregnancies with gestational diabetes based on pancreatic β-cell function

Pancreatic β-cell function impairment is a key mechanism for developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Maternal and placental exosomes regulate maternal and placental responses during hyperglycemia. Studies have associated exosomal micro RNAs (miRNAs) with GDM development. To date, no studies have been reported that evaluate the profile of miRNAs present in maternal and placental exosomes in the early stages of gestation from pregnancies that develop GDM. We used microarrays to assess whether early pregnancy maternal and placental exosomal miRNA profiles vary according to pancreatic β-cell function in women who will develop GDM (preGDM). A prospective nested case-control study was used to identify exosomal miRNAs that vary in early pregnancy stages (<18 weeks of gestation) from women with normoglycemia and those that developed GDM based on their pancreatic β-cell function using HOMA-%β index. Early pregnancy maternal and placental serum exosomes were isolated to obtain miRNA profiles.