Placental expression of inflammatory Galectin-12 is associated with gestational diabetes

Buschmann, Christina; Unverdorben, Laura; Knabl, Julia; Hutter, Stefan; Meister, Sarah; Beyer, Susanne; Burgmann, Maximiliane; Zati zehni, Alaleh; Schmoeckel, Elisa ; Kessler, Mirjana; Jeschke, Udo ; Eggersmann, Tanja K.; Mahner, Sven ; Kolben, Thomas and Ganster, Franziska (2024): Placental expression of inflammatory Galectin-12 is associated with gestational diabetes. In: Journal of Reproductive Immunology, Vol. 163, 104240

Abstract

Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a growing health concern. Since members of the galectinfamily are identified to play a role in the pathogenesis of GDM, we determined galectin-12 as an essential protein due to its influence in lipolysis and inflammation processes. This study investigates the expression of galectin-12 in the placentas of women with GDM. Study design: The study population includes 40 expectant women suffering from GDM and 40 healthy controls. The expression of galectin-12 in the syncytiotrophoblast (SCT) and the extra villous trophoblast (EVT) of the placenta was analyzed by immunohistological staining and double immunofluorescence. Immunoreactivity Score (IRS) was used for evaluation. Results: The results demonstrate a significant overexpression of galectin-12 in the nucleus of the SCT and the EVT of placentas with GDM compared to the healthy control group. Additionally, double immunofluorescence visualizes corresponding results with an overexpression of galectin-12 in the extra villous trophoblast of GDM placentas representing maternal cells. Conclusion: This study identifies galectin-12 to be associated with the process of gestational diabetes mellitus. These findings are in correspondence with the involvement of galectin-12 in inflammatory processes. Maternal BMI and male sex seem to be confounder for the expression of galectin-12 in the nuclear syncytiotrophoblast, but not in other parts of the investigated placental areas. Further investigations are necessary to verify the correlation between gestational diabetes mellitus and the expression of galectin-12 in the placenta and to further elucidate its distinct role.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine > Medical Center of the University of Munich > Clinic and Polyclinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 01650378
• Language: English