The Role of Exosomes in Offspring Metabolic Programming in Gestational Diabetes: Mechanisms and Potential Applications

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Abstract
Genetic predisposition and unhealthy lifestyles are well-known contributors to disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. However, these factors alone cannot fully explain the rapidly rising prevalence of these conditions. Emerging evidence highlights the pivotal role of the intrauterine environment in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in shaping epigenetic modifications and metabolic reprogramming, thereby predisposing offspring to long-term metabolic complications. Exosomes have recently been identified as key mediators of maternal-fetal communication. In GDM, both the quantity and cargo (e.g., proteins, miRNAs) of exosomes are altered. These altered exosomes not only contribute to maternal glucose and lipid metabolic abnormalities but also act as a critical vector for transmitting adverse metabolic signals to the offspring. This exosome-mediated communication disrupts placental function and the development of fetal metabolic organs, ultimately programming the offspring for long-term metabolic disorders. In this review, we summarize the characteristic changes of maternal exosomes in GDM and explore the potential mechanism by which exosomes regulate offspring metabolism during maternal-fetal crosstalk. We also propose the possible direction of exosomes in application, providing insights into early-life strategies for the prevention of metabolic diseases.

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