Role of galectin-glycan circuits in reproduction: from healthy pregnancy to preterm birth (PTB).

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that galectins, an evolutionarily conserved family of glycan-binding proteins, fulfill key roles in pregnancy including blastocyst implantation, maternal-fetal immune tolerance, placental development, and maternal vascular expansion, thereby establishing a healthy environment for the growing fetus. In this review, we comprehensively present the function of galectins in shaping cellular circuits that characterize a healthy pregnancy. We describe the current understanding of galectins in term and preterm labor and discuss how the galectin-glycan circuits contribute to key immunological pathways sustaining maternal tolerance and preventing microbial infections. A deeper understanding of the glycoimmune pathways regulating early events in preterm birth could offer the broader translational potential for the treatment of this devastating syndrome.

• Authors: Sandra M Blois, Stefan Verlohren, Gang Wu, Gary Clark, Anne Dell, Stuart M Haslam, Gabriela Barrientos
• Journal: Seminars in immunopathology (Semin Immunopathol) Vol. 42 Issue 4 Pg. 469-486 (08 2020) ISSN: 1863-2300 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 32601855 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Galectins
• Polysaccharides

Topics

• Embryo Implantation
• Female
• Galectins
• Humans
• Immune Tolerance
• Infant, Newborn
• Polysaccharides
• Pregnancy
• Premature Birth