ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Mol. Biosci.
Sec. Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Integrative multi-omics analysis reveals cellular and molecular insights into gestational diabetes mellitus
Provisionally accepted
Niankun Chen*
Lottie Hung
Shaole Shi
Shanshan ZhaoChumei ZengYihong HuangHuilin XuLixia ShenDongyu Wang
Zilian Wang- Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a frequent pregnancy complication that increases short-and long-term risks for both mother and child. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aims to unravel the molecular basis of GDM and explore potential therapeutic targets. Methods: We integrated genomic, transcriptomic, and single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets to delineate cell type-specific alterations in GDM. Candidate genes were prioritized using Mendelian randomization (MR), followed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) validation in placental samples. Pathway and immune-network analyses were performed to contextualize biological function. Results: Single-cell profiling showed marked remodeling of immune compartments in GDM, with prominent changes in monocytes and T-cell subsets. Two-sample MR prioritized 15 genes with putative causal links to GDM, including BNIP3L, COMT, CTSB, LMNA, and SLC7A5. qPCR further demonstrated significant differential expression of CTSB, LMNA, and SLC7A5 between GDM and control placentas (human or mouse). Pathway enrichment implicated CTSB in immune regulation and metabolic processes, whereas LMNA and SLC7A5 mapped to insulin resistance and glucose/ amino-acid transport pathways. Immune-network analysis revealed significant correlations between these genes and immune mediators, supporting immune dysregulation as a contributor to GDM pathogenesis. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the immune-metabolic landscape of GDM. Key genes identified in this study may serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for early diagnosis and personalized treatment of GDM. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted therapies for this disease.
Keywords: GDM, Immune infiltration, key genes, Mendelian randomization, single-cell RNA sequencing
Received: 16 Sep 2025; Accepted: 26 Jan 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Chen, Hung, Shi, Zhao, Zeng, Huang, Xu, Shen, Wang and Wang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Niankun Chen
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