Human Placental Tissue Contains a Placental Lactogen Derived Vasoinhibin

Morfofunctional and Molecular Changes in Placenta and Peripheral Blood in Preeclampsia and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE) are common pregnancy complications with similar risk factors. Although GDM is associated with PE, the exact mechanism underlying the association is unclear. The objective of this work was to study the morphofunctional and molecular changes in the placenta and peripheral blood in PE and GDM. Local and systemic changes in the production of several placental proteins were assessed along with markers of inflammation and metabolic disorders. Expression of placental lactogen, trophoblastic β1-glycoprotein, placental alpha-1-microglobulin, and proteinase 3 in villi was found to change in complicated pregnancy groups. Similarity of underlying pathogenic mechanisms was demonstrated for PE and GDM.

Prolactin and vasoinhibin are endogenous players in diabetic retinopathy revisited

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are major causes for visual loss in adults. Nearly half of the world's population with diabetes has some degree of DR, and DME is a major cause of visual impairment in these patients. Severe vision loss occurs because of tractional retinal detachment due to retinal neovascularization, but the most common cause of moderate vision loss occurs in DME where excessive vascular permeability leads to the exudation and accumulation of extracellular fluid and proteins in the macula. Metabolic control stands as an effective mean for controlling retinal vascular alterations in some but not all patients with diabetes, and the search of other modifiable factors affecting the risk for diabetic microvascular complications is warranted. Prolactin (PRL) and its proteolytic fragment, vasoinhibin, have emerged as endogenous regulators of retinal blood vessels. PRL acquires antiangiogenic and anti-vasopermeability properties after undergoing proteolytic cleavage to vasoinhibin, which helps restrict the vascularization of ocular organs and, upon disruption, promotes retinal vascular alterations characteristic of DR and DME. Evidence is linking PRL (and other pituitary hormones) and vasoinhibin to DR and recent preclinical and clinical evidence supports their translation into novel therapeutic approaches.