title: Expression and function of galectins in the endometrium and at the human feto-maternal interface.
abstract: Galectins are classified as lectins that share structural similarities and bind β-galactosides via a conserved carbohydrate recognition domain. So far 16 out of 19 identified galectins were shown to be present in humans and numerous studies revealed galectins as pivotal modulators of cell death, differentiation and growth. Galectins were highlighted to interact with both the adaptive and innate immune response. In the field of reproductive medicine and placenta research different roles for galectins have been proposed. Several galectins, being abundantly present at the human feto-maternal interphase and endometrium, were hypothesized to significantly contribute to endometrial receptivity and pregnancy physiology. Hence, this review outlines selected aspects of galectin action within endometrial function and at the feto-maternal interphase. Further current knowledge on galectins in reproductive and pregnancy disorders like endometriosis, abortion or preeclampsia is summarized.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany. udo.jeschke@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jeschke
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hutter
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heublein
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vrekoussis
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Andergassen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Unverdorben
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papadakis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Makrigiannakis
mesh_terms: D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D037161:Galectins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third
chemical_list: D037161:Galectins
keywords: Endometriosis; Endometrium; Feto-maternal interface; Galectin; Placenta