Involvement of galectin-1 in reproduction: past, present and future.
BACKGROUND
After recognition of its pivotal contribution to fetomaternal tolerance, the study of galectin-1 (gal-1) functions in the context of pregnancy became an attractive topic in reproductive medicine. Despite considerable advances in the understanding of the immuno- and growth-regulatory properties of gal-1 at the fetal-maternal interface, many functional aspects of this lectin in reproduction are only emerging.


METHODS
The published literature was searched using Pubmed focusing on gal-1 signalling and functional properties at the maternal-fetal interface, including data on its implication in pregnancy disorders and malignancies of the female reproductive system. Papers discussing animal and human studies were included.


RESULTS
This review provides an overview of gal-1 functions during pregnancy, such as modulation of maternal immune responses and roles in embryo implantation and placentation. We also emphasize the role of gal-1 in key regulatory processes, including trophoblast migration, invasion, syncytium formation and expression of non-classical MHC class I molecules (HLA-G). In addition, we argue in favour of gal-1 pro-angiogenic properties, as observed in tumourigenesis and other pathological settings, and its implication in the angiogenesis process associated with early gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
The involvement of gal-1 in the regulation of different processes during the establishment, development and maintenance of pregnancy could be described as unique. Gal-1 has emerged as an important lectin with major functions in pregnancy.
CharitéCenter 12 Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Reproductive Medicine Research Group, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Gabriela
G
Barrientos
Nancy
N
Freitag
Irene
I
Tirado-González
Laura
L
Unverdorben
Udo
U
Jeschke
Victor L J L
VL
Thijssen
Sandra M
SM
Blois
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000209:etiology*; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D037483:Galectin 1
angiogenesis; cancer; galectin-1; pregnancy; progesterone