We previously have shown that perlecan is mainly expressed in the trophoblast and vessel basement membranes, and both the protein and mRNA levels of placental perlecan were significantly increased in the third trimester placentas with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as well as in trophoblast cells cultured at high glucose (30 mM) condition [10]. Here, HSPG2 is linked to gestational diabetes.