title: Comparative analyses on expression of galectins1-4, 7-10 and 12 in first trimester placenta, decidua and isolated trophoblast cells in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Galectins are members of the mammalian β-galactoside-binding proteins, which recognize Galβ1-4GlcNAc sequences of several cell surface oligosaccharides. Plenty of galectins are already described in human tissue, especially in placenta. Here, gal-1-4, 7-10 and gal-12 were investigated systematically in trophoblast and decidua cells of first trimester placentas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within this study, 15 first trimester placentas after induced abortion (7th-14th week of gestation) were examined with immunohistology and immunofluorescence based on a scoring system. Moreover, isolated and cultivated trophoblast cells from the first trimester were analyzed and evaluated for expression of gal-1-4, gal-7-10 and gal-12 at mRNA and protein level with real-time RT-Polymerase chain Reaction/PCR (Taq-Man). Double immunofluorescence with trophoblast specific markers identified galectin expressing cells at the feto-maternal interface.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We could detect immunohistochemical staining of galectins 1-4, 7-10 and 12 in first trimester placenta: all examined galectins were found in the cytotrophoblast (CTB) and syncytiotrophoblast (SCT). Gal-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, -8, -9, -10 and -12 were identified in extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT) in immunohistology and immunoflourescence. The expression of gal-1, -9, -10, and gal-12 increased after 96h incubation in vitro without stimulation at mRNA level, while gal-2, -3, -4, -7 and -8 were decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study describes a systematic analysis of the expression of gal-1-4, gal-7-10 and gal-12 in first trimester placentas and isolated trophoblast cells. Expression levels at mRNA level and the change within 96h cultivation in vitro indicate a possible influence on syncytium building of trophoblast cell on expression of galectins. Therefore, an interaction of galectins in vitro in syncytium building is possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Unverdorben
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany. udo.jeschke@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jeschke
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santoso
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arck
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hutter
mesh_terms: D003656:Decidua / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D037161:Galectins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D010929:Placentation / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D037161:Galectins