Incomplete spiral artery remodeling with lumen stenosis has been recognized among ominous pathophysiological signs of poor placentation in GDM [50, 51], This heralding histopathological sign was evident in the placentas of HFD-dNONcNZO dams expressing higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines that include TNFα, IL16 and IL23 (Additional file 1: Table S4). The gene discussed is IL16; the disease is gestational diabetes.