Galectin-3 deficiency in pregnancy increases the risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR) via placental insufficiency.

ABSTRACT: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is the most common pregnancy complication in developed countries. Pregnancies affected by FGR, frequently concur with complications and high risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. To date, no approved treatment is available for pregnant women affected with FGR. The objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of galectin-3 (gal-3), a β-galactoside binding protein involved in pregnancy, placental function and fetal growth. We demonstrated that lack of gal-3 during mouse pregnancy leads to placental dysfunction and drives FGR in the absence of a maternal preeclampsia syndrome. Analysis of gal-3 deficient dams revealed placental inflammation and malperfusion, as well as uterine natural killer cell infiltration with aberrant activation. Our resu

SUBMITTER: Freitag N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7378206 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature