Post-transcriptional down regulation of ICAM-1 in feto-placental endothelium in GDM.

Maternal gestational diabetes (GDM) is associated with hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinemia in the fetal circulation which consequently may induce endothelial dysfunction in the feto-placental vasculature. In fact, feto-placental vasculature reveals various morphological changes in response to GDM. The cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin promote attachment and trans-endothelial migration of leukocytes, and are up regulated in inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.