Immunometabolic adaption in pregnancy. Version 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Immunometabolic adaptation in pregnancy
IRAS ID
252128
Contact name
Cathy Thornton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea University
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Metabolic adaptation during pregnancy supports metabolism and growth of the fetus and placenta through ensuring a continual supply of glucose from the mother. To support her own metabolic needs the pregnant woman switches to the preferential use of fats over the course of pregnancy. Multiple metabolic adaptations are made to achieve this. Chief amongst these, from the maternal perspective, is the development of maternal glucose intolerance and insulin resistance as occurs in diabetes. These changes are evident as early as 12 – 14 weeks of gestation and become more dramatic as pregnancy progresses. These changes in glucose and lipid metabolism are mostly studied in maternal liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle with very little information about how they affect the immune system. Modified function of multiple immune cell subsets in pregnancy has been described. The use of glucose and fat by different immune cell types and the impact of this on cell phenotype and function is a growing area of immunology research. Cell fate and function can be modified by changes in metabolism. Reprogramming of immune cell metabolism by changing availability of glucose and fat could explain many of the functional immunological adaptations that occur in pregnancy. Many of the changes described to occur in pregnancy are reminiscent of the emerging functional effects related to whether a cell type preferentially uses glucose or fat. Cell types known to preferentially use fats tend to have heightened activity in pregnancy whereas those that preferentially use glucose have reduced activity in pregnancy. Here, we will determine the how the ability of multiple immune cell types to use glucose and fats as well as proteins changes over the course of pregnancy.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SW/0196
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion