Dysregulation of microRNA‐657 influences inflammatory response via targeting interleukin‐37 in gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract A number of studies have implicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the role of miR‐657 in GDM remains vague up to date. We aim to investigate the modifying effect of miR‐657 on GDM, which will provide new insight into the pathogenesis of GDM and may help to identify new diagnostic or therapeutic targets for GDM. Increased expression of miR‐657 but decreased expression of interleukin‐37 (IL‐37) was observed in patients with GDM. Besides, negative association between miR‐657 and IL‐37 was demonstrated in this study. miR‐657 could targetedly regulate IL‐37 and enhance the proliferation of mononuclear macrophages. Moreover, miR‐657 promoted the generation of inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α]) and activation of nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) in lipopolysaccharide‐induced mononuclear macrophages, while its effect was significantly inhibited when exogenous recombinant IL‐37 was administrated into cells. Accordingly, dysregulation of miR‐657 contributes to the pathogenesis of GDM via IL‐37/NF‐κB signaling axis.