Double stranded viral RNA induces inflammation and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle from pregnant women in vitro

Abstract

Objective Maternal peripheral insulin resistance and increased inflammation are two features of pregnancies complicated by pre-existing maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). There is now increasing evidence that activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling pathways by viral products may play a role in the pathophysiology of diabetes. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of the TLR3 ligand and viral dsRNA analogue polyinosinic polycytidilic acid (poly(I:C)) on inflammation and the insulin signalling pathway in skeletal muscle from pregnant women. Materials/Methods Human skeletal muscle tissue explants were performed to determine the effect of poly(I:C)..