The Role of Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase in Pregnancy: A Review

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) was first reported in 1994 and has been explored in various human disease processes. However, until recently, very little has been done to define the role of NAMPT in pregnancy. NAMPT is a 52 kDa protein that has diverse functions in the human body, acting as a growth factor, cytokine, an enzyme, and an insulinomimetic agent. Initial studies examined NAMPT expression in fetal membranes and its effects on the amnion. Later research in nonpregnant studies showed an insulinomimetic effect, and attention focused on its role in gestational diabetes. In addition, as studies revealed NAMPT's function as an inflammatory cytokine, studies examined NAMPT in preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Several studies have confirmed that NAMPT is a marker of systemic infectious processes such as pyelonephritis and intrauterine infection. In this review, we present the current understanding of NAMPT's role in various pregnancy-related conditions as well as possible directions for future research.