Evaluation of T lymphocytes, NK cells and NKT cells in peripheral blood of patients with Gestational Diabetes

• Grant number: 13/24943-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Maternal and Child Health
• Principal Investigator: Silvia Daher
• Grantee: Jennifer Franchi Fantasia
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Gestational Diabetes (GD) is characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from insufficient insulin secretion by pancreatic ² cells to fulfill the metabolic demands of the pregnant and is a major risk of medical complications for both the mother and the fetus. Several factors seem implicated in the pathophysiology of DG, including alterations in the mechanisms of tolerance to the fetus and triggering exacerbated inflammatory response. These modifications are possibly linked to unbalance in the number and/or activity of immune cells such as T lymphocytes, NK cells, and NKT cells. The aim of this study is to characterize the profile of immune cells in peripheral blood of women with GD during the third trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, we intend to evaluate by flow cytometry CD4+, CD8+, Treg, NKT lymphocytes, and NK cells in peripheral blood of healthy pregnant women and with GD. Our hypothesis is that patients with GD exhibit impaired immune cell profiles and that these disorders may be related to the pattern of IR and inflammation, and ultimately to the clinical pattern of the disease. The findings of this study can contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of the DG, and thus set the definition of more effective parameters for diabetic pregnancy. (AU)