Investigation of Gasdermin-D and Pannexin-1 in Omental Adipose and Placental Tissues in Obese Pregnant Women

Abstract

Aim: Gasdermin-D (GSDMD) and pannexin-1 (PANX1), which are proinflammatory proteins, may be involved in the pathogenesis of complications in pregnant women with obesity. We aimed to investigate the expression of GSDMD and PANX1 biochemically in samples of maternal omental and placental tissue obtained from pregnant women with or without obesity, and their correlation with maternal, obstetric, and fetal/neonatal variables. Methods: The prospective observational study included 79 pregnant women who underwent elective cesarean sections with a pregnancy between 37 and 41 weeks from December 2021 to April 2022. They were divided into three study groups according to their body mass index (BMI): normal weight (with a BMI 30) (n=26). Omental and placental GSDMD and PANX1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay between the groups. Results: In the homogenate of omental tissue, the median levels of GSDMD and PANX1 protein in the overweight and obese groups were significantly lower than those in the normal weight groups (p=0.0154 and p=0.0184, respectively). In the placental tissue samples, the median levels of GSDMD and PANX1 proteins in the normal weight, overweight, and obese groups were similar. Conclusion: GSDMD and PANX1 expressions were shown for the first time in the omentum and placenta together; which has the potential to be used as a predictive and diagnostic test panel after further studies in obese pregnant women.

Keywords

• gasdermin-d
• pannexin-1
• placenta
• omental tissue
• obesity
• inflammation