Histological chorioamnionitis in preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes is associated with increased expression of galectin-3 by amniotic epithelium.
OBJECTIVE
Gal-3, which can regulate immune responses upon infection and inflammation, was not studied so far in intrauterine infection leading to preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM), although gal-1 was reported to be implicated in the process. Gal-3 mRNA and protein expression in amnion and its changes during histological chorioamnionitis were studied here.


METHODS
Fetal membranes were obtained from women with PPROM with (n =15) and without histological chorioamnionitis (n =15) during second and third trimester. Immunohistochemical reactivity was evaluated semiquantitatively and analyzed using t-test. Galectin profile of amniotic epithelia was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and change assessed in gal-3 in PPROM with (n =5) or without histological chorioamnionitis (n =5) by real-time PCR.


RESULTS
Human amniotic epithelium was found to express gal-1, gal-3, gal-7 and gal-8 mRNA. Gal-3 mRNA and protein is increased in fetal membranes and in the amniotic epithelium in patients with chorionamnionitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Histological chorioamnionitis is associated with increased gal-3 expression and strong immunoreactivity of the amnion. Gal-3 may participate in the regulation of the inflammatory responses to chorioamniotic infection and/or direct interaction with pathogens.
a Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, INEP, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia and.
Ivana
I
Stefanoska
b Department of Histopathology , Clinical Center of Serbia , Belgrade , Serbia.
Jasmina
J
Tadić
a Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, INEP, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia and.
Aleksandra
A
Vilotić
a Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, INEP, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia and.
Milica
M
Jovanović Krivokuća
a Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, INEP, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia and.
Tamara
T
Abu Rabi
a Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, INEP, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia and.
Ljiljana
L
Vićovac
D000650:Amnion / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001798:Blood Proteins; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D037161:Galectins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
D001798:Blood Proteins; D037502:Galectin 3; D037161:Galectins; C428445:LGALS3 protein, human; C091991:LGALS8 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger
Chorioamnion; fetal membranes; galectin; inflammation; prelabor; preterm delivery; rupture of membranes