Objective: Galectins are known for their immunomodulatory functions in placentas. They are associated with pregnancy disorders such as preeclampsia, HELLP-Syndrome and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In addition, galectins seem to be overexpressed in placentas of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Study design: The collective consisted of 40 women diagnosed with GDM and 40 healthy expectant mothers. The expression of Gal-4 was investigated in syncytiotrophoblast (SCT), representing the fetal part of the placenta, and decidual tissues, representing the maternal part of the placenta, by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence double staining. Expression levels were evaluated using the immunoreactive score (IRS).
Results: Nuclear IRS of Gal-4 is significantly higher in SCT cells of placentas of expectant mothers diagnosed with GDM. Overexpression of Gal-4 observed in the decidua of women with GDM by significant higher nuclear and cytoplasmatic IRS of Gal-4. Multivariate regression showed that Gal-4 is significantly overexpressed in the nucleus of SCTs and cytoplasm of decidual cells of placentas with GDM. GDM could be identified as a significant predictor for both cases.
Conclusion: The results of this study provide further evidence for the involvement of galectins in the processes of chronic inflammation throughout a pregnancy with GDM. These findings are also in line with the known overexpression of galectin-1 in placental tissues of GDM women. Further evaluation of the role of galectins in this process is warranted.
Keywords: Galectin-4; Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); Pregnancy.
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