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ABSTRACT: Objective
This study was to evaluate plasma galectin-3 levels from early pregnancy to delivery and explore the effects of galectin-3 on the function of trophoblast cells under high glucose exposure.Methods
The plasma galectin-3 levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the China National Birth Cohort (CNBC) at Peking University First Hospital, and the underlying signaling pathway was identified by protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), quantitative PCR (qPCR), western blotting, small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfections, and flow cytometry.Results
Significantly higher galectin-3 levels were found in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM group; n = 77) during the first and second trimesters than that in healthy pregnant women (HP group; n = 113) (P < 0.05). No significant differences in plasma galectin-3 levels were detected between GDM and HP groups in maternal third-trimester blood and cord blood. PPI analysis suggested potential interactions between galectin-3 and foxc1. The findings of GSEA showed that galectin-3 was involved in the cytochrome P450-related and complement-related pathways, and foxc1 was associated with type I diabetes mellitus. Additionally, high glucose (25 mM) significantly increased the expression levels of galectin-3 and foxc1 and induced apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Further in vitro experiments showed that galectin-3/foxc1 pathway could protect HTR-8/SVneo cells against high glucose - induced apoptosis.Conclusion
Future studies were required to validate whether plasma galectin-3 might become a potential biomarker for hyperglycemia during pregnancy. Elevated galectin-3 levels might be a vital protective mechanism among those exposed to hyperglycemia during pregnancy.
SUBMITTER: Deng Y
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10463409 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Deng Yu Y Jin Hongyan H Ning Jie J Cui Dong D Zhang Muqiu M Yang Huixia H
Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) 20230825 1
<h4>Objective</h4>This study was to evaluate plasma galectin-3 levels from early pregnancy to delivery and explore the effects of galectin-3 on the function of trophoblast cells under high glucose exposure.<h4>Methods</h4>The plasma galectin-3 levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the China National Birth Cohort (CNBC) at Peking University First Hospital, and the underlying signaling pathway was identified by protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, gene set e ...[more]