Identification of Galectin-9 on exosomes from human blastocyst culture medium

Abstract

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles secreted by various cells by inward budding of endosomes into multivesicular bodies. They are important for communication between cells, delivery of functional RNA to other cells, cell adhesion and antigen presentation. Exosomes released by the blastocyst may be an important mediator for implantation. Galectin-9, a β-galactoside binding lectin, has been found in human endometrial epithelial cells with significant upregulation during the window of implantation.