title: Galectin-7 acts as an adhesion molecule during implantation and increased expression is associated with miscarriage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Galectins are expressed at the fetal-maternal interface and have multiple roles including during blastocyst implantation. The expression of galectin-7 however has not been investigated in the uterus. We aimed to localise galectin-7 to the endometrium of women with normal fertility and with a history of miscarriage and prospectively determine whether serum levels are altered in women who subsequently miscarry. We also investigated the role of galectin-7 on trophoblast-endometrial epithelial cell adhesion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemistry localised galectin-7 to endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle in women (normal fertility or with history of miscarriage) and in first trimester implantation sites. Galectin-7 serum levels were determined by ELISA. We used both endometrial epithelial-trophoblast cell lines and primary cells for cell-cell adhesion experiments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Galectin-7 immunolocalized to endometrial luminal and glandular epithelium in normally fertile women and was upregulated in epithelium and stroma of women with a history of miscarriage. Similarly, galectin-7 serum levels were elevated at 6 weeks gestation in women who subsequently miscarried compared to gestation matched controls. Exogenous galectin-7 reduced endometrial epithelial-trophoblast adhesion in cell-line and primary cell assays. However, when endometrial epithelial cells were isolated from women with endometrial disorders, galectin-7 increased epithelial-trophoblast adhesion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Galectin-7 is produced by endometrial epithelium and is abnormally elevated in the endometrium of women with a history of miscarriage. Serum levels may be useful as a predictive biomarker of miscarriage. Our data suggests that galectin-7 facilitates adhesion of the embryo to the endometrium and elevated galectin-7 may result in abnormal adhesion.
authors: MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: ellen.menkhorst@princehenrys.org.
authors: E M
authors: EM
authors: Menkhorst
authors: MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Gamage
authors: MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Cuman
authors: Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: T J
authors: TJ
authors: Kaitu'u-Lino
authors: Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Tong
authors: MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Dimitriadis
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000378:metabolism; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D037161:Galectins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D037161:Galectins; C092525:LGALS7 protein, human
keywords: Blastocyst; Endometrium; Luminal epithelium; Pregnancy; Trophoblast; Uterus