Abstract
Galectins (gal) are members of the mammalian β-galactoside-binding proteins and recognize Galβ1-4GlcNAc and Galβ1-4GalNac (Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF)) sequences of several cell surface oligosaccharides. In this study, gal-1, -2, -3 and -13 were investigated systematically in the trophoblast and decidua compartment of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) placentas and normal third trimester control placentas and stratified by fetal gender and gestational age. Within this study, 29 third trimester placentas after delivery were analyzed. Fetal gender was equally divided within both groups, and immunohistochemical staining was analyzed according to fetal gender and gestational age. Double immune-fluorescence with trophoblast-specific markers was used to identify galectin-expressing cells at the feto-maternal interface in the decidua. Gal-3 was significantly downregulated only in the extravillous trophoblast of IUGR placentas. In contrast, expressions of gal-2 and gal-13 were downregulated in both villous and extravillous trophoblast cells of IUGR placentas. In addition, gal-2 and gal-13 showed a highly correlated expression scheme in the placenta. There are significant gender-specific expression patterns for single prototype galectins with downregulation of gal-2 and gal-13 of male gender placentas in cases of IUGR. Gal-3 as the chimera type galectin shows only little gender-specific differences in expression, which disappear in IUGR cases.
Highlights
Galectins are broadly described in various tissues, and their attributed functions reach from immuno-modulation to regulation of metabolism [1,2]
Gal-3 as the chimera type galectin shows only little gender-specific differences in expression, which disappear in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) cases
Staining scores of gal-1 evaluated with the International Remmele Score (IRS) in villous trophoblasts differ slightly in cases of IUGR compared to control placentas
Summary
Galectins are broadly described in various tissues, and their attributed functions reach from immuno-modulation to regulation of metabolism [1,2] They can be found in intra- and extra-cellular compartments and are involved in protein to protein interactions modulating cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis [3]. Gal-1 expression in cases of PE in the third trimester appears to be increased, hereby supporting the thesis of different etiologies for early and late onset PE [9] It takes an important role in feto-maternal tolerance, as it has been shown to reduce stress-induced abortion in a mouse model by inducing tolerogenic dendritic cells and CD4+CD25+IL-10+ regulatory T cells (Treg) when supplemented [10]
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