Therefore, the specific aims of this study are to determine (i) the effect of pre-existing maternal obesity and GDM on markers of ER stress in adipose tissue and (ii) the role of ER stress in inducing IL-1α and IL-1β secretion via the inflammasome in adipose tissue exposed to bacterial (LPS) or viral infections (poly(I:C)) and sterile inflammation (TNF-α). The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.