Cell Type- and Sex-Specific Dysregulation of Thyroid Hormone Receptors in Placentas in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

ABSTRACT: Thyroid hormones are essential for development of trophoblasts and the fetus. They also regulate a wide range of metabolic processes. We investigated the influence of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on thyroid hormone receptor (THR) isoforms THR?1, THR?2, THR?1 and THR?2 of the human placenta in a sex- and cell-type specific manner. Term placental tissue was obtained from women with (n = 40) or without GDM (control; n = 40). THRs levels were measured by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry and real-time qRT-PCR. We localized THR immunostaining in syncytiotrophoblast (SCT), which was the tissue with the strongest signal. Double immunofluorescence identified THR in decidual cells in the stroma and in extravillous cytotrophoblasts. GDM did not change THR?1 immunolabelling intensity in decidua, but was associated with a stronger immunolabelling in SCT compared to GDM (p < 0.05). The SCT difference of GDM vs. control was strongest (p < 0.01) in female placentas. THR?2 was only weakly present and immunolabelling was weaker (p < 0.05) in SCT of only male GDM placentas in comparison to male controls. THR?1/?2 immunostaining was weak in all cell types without changes in GDM. However, more THR?1/2 protein was present (p < 0.001) in male than female placentas. All these protein changes were paralleled by changes of THR transcript levels. The data show that THR are expressed in term trophoblast in relation to fetal sex. Maternal GDM influences predominantly THR?1 in SCT, with the strongest GDM effect in SCT of female placentas.

SUBMITTER: Knabl J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7313460 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature