title: Galectin-7 serum levels are altered prior to the onset of pre-eclampsia.
abstract: Galectins regulate many cell functions important for placental development, however, the localization and role of galectin-7 is unknown. We hypothesized galectin-7 would be expressed by the placenta and detected in serum. Galectin-7 immunolocalized to syncytiotrophoblast, extravillous trophoblast and glandular epithelium in 1st trimester placenta/decidua and to syncytiotrophoblast and endothelial cells in term placenta, but in pre-eclamptic placentas endothelial staining was absent. Galectin-7 serum concentration was significantly elevated in women (weeks 10-12 and 17-20) who subsequently developed pre-eclampsia compared to women with healthy pregnancies. Galectin-7 is a promising prospective serum biomarker for pre-eclampsia and likely has important functions in placentation.
authors.affiliation: Embryo Implantation Laboratory, MIMR-PHI (Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research) Clayton, PO Box 5152, Clayton 3168, VIC, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Menkhorst
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koga
authors.affiliation: Embryo Implantation Laboratory, MIMR-PHI (Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research) Clayton, PO Box 5152, Clayton 3168, VIC, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Sinderen
authors.affiliation: Embryo Implantation Laboratory, MIMR-PHI (Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research) Clayton, PO Box 5152, Clayton 3168, VIC, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: evdokia.dimitriadis@princehenrys.org.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dimitriadis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D037161:Galectins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D037161:Galectins; C092525:LGALS7 protein, human
keywords: Glandular epithelium; Placenta; Pregnancy; Syncytiotrophoblast; Uterus