The association between expression of lncRNAs in patients with GDM

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus ( GDM) is common worldwide and se riously threatens maternal and infant health. The expression of non- cod ing ( ncRNA) is tissuespecific and highly stable in eukaryotic cells and the circulato ry system, which can act as an early molecular marker of GDM. Methods: The differential expression of lncRNA and mRNA in the periphera l blood of patients with GDM (experimental group) and healthy pregnant wom en (control group) was analysed via lncRNA gene chip. Employing biological functio n clustering and KEGG signalling pathway analysis, we selected the mRNAs and lncRNAs closely related to the insulin signalling pathway of GDM to analyse the possible regul atory mechanism in the pathogenesis of GDM. The sequencing results were further verifie d via quantitative PCR (Q-PCR). Results: LncRNA microarray analysis revealed 7498 genes (3592 upregulat ed, 3906 downregulated) differentially expressed in the GDM group an d healthy pregnant women control group, including 1098 differentially expressed lnc RNAs (609 upregulated, 489 downregulated). According to the regulatory pathway of the lncRNA mRNA network, 6 lncRNAs and 4 mRNAs were found to play a significant role in i nsulin resistance. Conclusions: The lncRNAs ERMP1, TSPAN32 and MRPL38 form a co-expression net work with TPH1, which is mainly involved in the tryptophan metabolis m pathway and in the development of GDM. Moreover, lncRNA RPL13P5 forms a co-express ion network with the TSC2 gene via the PI3K-AKT and insulin signalling pathways, which are involved in the process of insulin resistance in GDM.

Automated summary

The study utilized lncRNA microarray analysis to identify differential expression of lncRNA and mRNA in the peripheral blood of patients with GDM and healthy pregnant women, revealing certain lncRNAs and mRNAs play significant roles in insulin resistance in GDM.