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Activation of phospholipase A2 is associated with generation of placental lipid signals and fetal obesity.

CONTEXT
Obesity and diabetes during pregnancy are associated with increased insulin resistance and higher neonatal adiposity. In turn, insulin resistance triggers inflammatory pathways with accumulation of placental cytokines.


OBJECTIVE
To determine placental signals that translate into development of excess adipose tissue, we investigated the role of phospholipases A2 (PLA2) as targets of inflammatory mediators.


SETTING
The study was conducted at Case Western Reserve University, Department of Reproductive Biology.


SUBJECTS
Volunteers gave informed written consent in accordance with the Institutional Review Board guidelines. Placenta and cord blood samples were obtained at the time of elective cesarean section in 15 term pregnancies.


INTERVENTION
Neonatal anthropometric measurements were performed within 48 h of delivery. Placentas were grouped based on neonatal percentage body fat as obese (body fat > or = 16%) and lean control (body fat < or = 8%).


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary outcomes were placenta PLA2 expression and fatty acid concentration.


RESULTS
Expression of PLA2G2A and PLA2G5, the main placenta phospholipases, was greater (P < 0.05) in placenta of obese compared with control neonates and was associated with increased 20:3 and 20:5 omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. TNF-alpha and leptin content was increased 3-fold in placenta of obese neonates. TNF-alpha and leptin both induced a time-dependent activation of PLA2G2 and PLA2G5 in placental cells.


CONCLUSION
Accumulation of omega-3 fatty acids through secretory PLA2 activation is associated with high neonatal adiposity. We propose that the generation of placental lipid mediators through TNF-alpha and leptin stimulation represents a key mechanism to favor excess fetal fat accretion.