Sialic acid immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec)-6 is a transmembrane receptor that binds sialyl-TN glycans and leptin. Among eutherian mammals, only human placentas express Siglec-6. Previous work has implicated Siglec-6 in preeclampsia (PE). Preeclampsia, a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, is characterized by placental abnormalities. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of Siglec-6 protein expression during human pregnancy by disease state (PE), biologic compartment (basal plate, chorionic villi, or maternal plasma), gestational age (24-41 weeks), and labor status. Siglec-6 protein was increased in both the basal plate and chorionic villi of preterm PE placentas (P < .05). However, expression did not differ at term by disease state, compartment, or labor status. Siglec-6 was not detectable in maternal serum. Overexpression of Siglec-6 protein in preterm PE placentas may contribute to or represent a response to PE pathogenesis and suggests that preterm PE pathogenesis is distinct from term PE.
Keywords: leptin; placenta; preeclampsia; siglec.