Placental CD4⁺ T cells from women with gestational diabetes recapitulate disease features in a pregnant rat model, improved by metformin or mitotempo.

OBJECTIVE: T cells to parallel manifestations of the GDM phenotype in pregnant athymic nude rats. METHODS: GDM placental CD4+ T cells (GDM T cells) were isolated upon delivery and injected into pregnant nude rats on gestational day (GD) 12. Mean arterial pressure and markers of renal injury, proteinuria, kidney injury molecule-1, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, were assessed on GD19. Glucose, insulin tolerance, and glucose tolerance tests were also performed. Renal and pancreatic tissues were stained using Periodic acid Schiff and hematoxylin and eosin, respectively. A one-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Renal injury was more severe in GDM T cell recipients, but attenuated with metformin or MitoTEMPO. Pancreatic morphology showed reduced beta islet numbers in GDM T cell recipients. CONCLUSION: T cells contribute to hypertension, glucose intolerance, and renal dysfunction, improved byMitoTEMPO. These findings supports optional therapeutics that support mitochondrial function during pregnancy.