Expression of Galectin-1, -3 (gal-1, gal-3) and the Thomsen–Friedenreich (TF) Antigen in Normal, IUGR, Preeclamptic and HELLP Placentas

Jeschke, U.; Mayr, D.; Schiessl, B.; Mylonas, I.; Schulze, S.; Kuhn, C.; Friese, K.; Walzel, H.

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2007.06.006

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Volume 28, Issue 11 , Pages 1165-1173, November 2007

Expression of Galectin-1, -3 (gal-1, gal-3) and the Thomsen–Friedenreich (TF) Antigen in Normal, IUGR, Preeclamptic and HELLP Placentas

U. Jeschke
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany
D. Mayr
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Institute of Pathology, Thalkirchner Strasse 36, 80337 Munich, Germany
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 89 5160 4671; fax: +49 89 5160 4043.
B. Schiessl
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany
I. Mylonas
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany
S. Schulze
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany
C. Kuhn
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany
K. Friese
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany
H. Walzel
- University of Rostock, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Schillingallee 70, 18057 Rostock, Germany

Accepted 15 June 2007. published online 03 August 2007.

Abstract

Background

Galectin-1 (gal-1) and galectin-3 (gal-3), which are members of the mammalian β-galactoside-binding proteins, recognise preferentially (Galβ1-4GlcNAc) sequences of several cell surface oligosaccharides. In addition, gal-1 also binds to the Thomsen–Friedenreich (TF) antigen (Galβ1-3GalNAc-).

Materials and methods

Slides of frozen and paraffin-embedded placental tissue of patients with fetal intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), preeclampsia, haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) and normal term placentas were incubated with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against gal-1, gal-3 and TF. Staining reaction was performed with the avidin–biotinylated peroxidase complex (ABC) reagent. The intensity of the immunohistochemical reaction on the slides was analysed using a semi-quantitative score. The identity of galectin-expressing cells was analysed by using a double immunofluorescence method.

Results

We demonstrated immunohistochemically that the expression of gal-1 and gal-3 on the extravillous trophoblast (EVT) is significantly up-regulated in preeclamptic and HELLP placentas and unchanged compared with normal controls in IUGR placentas. The expression of the TF antigen is significantly up-regulated in IUGR and preeclamptic extravillous trophoblast cells and unchanged in HELLP placentas compared with normal controls. In addition, the expression of gal-1 is significantly up-regulated in the decidual tissue of preeclamptic placentas and in the villous trophoblast tissue of HELLP placentas.

Conclusion

Our data showed that gal-1, gal-3 and TF were up-regulated on the membrane of EVT in preeclamptic placentas. In addition, the expression of gal-1 is significantly up-regulated in decidual tissue of preeclamptic placentas and villous trophoblast tissue of HELLP placentas. Taking into consideration the results of this study, we speculate that expression of both galectins and TF on the membrane of preeclamptic EVT and up-regulation of gal-1 in preeclamptic decidual cells may at least in part compensate for the apoptotic effects of maternal immune cells.

Keywords: Galectin-1, Galectin-3, Thomsen–Friedenreich, Immunocytochemistry, Placenta