Pregnancy Galectinology: Insights Into a Complex Network of Glycan Binding Proteins

Overview

Journal Front Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2019 Jun 25

PMID 31231368

Citations 28

Authors

Sandra M Blois

Gabriela Dveksler

Gerardo R Vasta

Nancy Freitag

Veronique Blanchard

Gabriela Barrientos

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Galectins are a phylogenetically conserved family of soluble β-galactoside binding proteins, consisting of 15 different types, each with a specific function. Galectins contribute to placentation by regulating trophoblast development, migration, and invasion during early pregnancy. In addition, galectins are critical players regulating maternal immune tolerance to the embedded embryo. Recently, the role of galectins in angiogenesis during decidualization and in placenta formation has gained attention. Altered expression of galectins is associated with abnormal pregnancies and infertility. This review focuses on the role of galectins in pregnancy-associated processes and discusses the relevance of galectin-glycan interactions as potential therapeutic targets in pregnancy disorders.

Citing Articles

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Galectin-3 disrupts tight junctions of airway epithelial cell monolayers by inducing expression and release of matrix metalloproteinases upon influenza A infection.

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The Role of and Metabolic Syndrome-Related Mast Cell Activation Pathologies and Their Potential Impact on Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes.

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Expression and Significance of Galectin-1 and Galectin-3 in the Serum and Placental Tissues of Patients with Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.

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