Expression of galectin-3 and apoptosis in placental villi from patients with missed abortion during early pregnancy

• Published in: Experimental and therapeutic medicine Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 2623 - 2631
• Main Authors: Xiao, Qing, Zeng, Fang-Ling, Tang, Guo-Yi, Lei, Chun-Yan, Zou, Xian-Xiang, Liu, Xiao-Le, Peng, Bi-Ling, Qin, Shuang, Li, Hui-Xian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Greece Spandidos Publications 01.04.2019; Spandidos Publications UK Ltd; D.A. Spandidos
• Subjects: Abortion; Apoptosis; Cytochrome; Gene expression; Health aspects; Lectins; Medical research; Messenger RNA; Miscarriage; Pathogenesis; Pregnancy; Pregnant women; Proteins; RNA; Studies; Tumors; Womens health; China; apoptosis; placenta; missed abortion; galectin-3; pregnancy tissue
• ISSN: 1792-0981; 1792-1015
• DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7227

The success of a pregnancy relies on moderate trophoblast apoptosis. If the 'inhibition-induction' balance of apoptosis is broken, a pathological pregnancy may occur. Galectin-3 has an important role in numerous biological processes, including tumor cell apoptosis. However, the association between galectin-3 and missed abortion (MA) has remained elusive. In the present study, the mRNA and protein expression levels of galectin-3 in placental villi, and the apoptotic index of placental cells from patients with MA were assessed and compared with those in a normal spontaneous abortion group. The present study investigated the function of galectin-3 in the process of MA and the possible association between placental apoptosis and galectin-3 expression in MA patients. Furthermore, the role of galetin-3 in patients with MA at different times (<4 and >4 weeks) was explored. The present study provided a potential mechanism of MA from a perspective of apoptosis and also provided potential therapeutic approaches to prevent MA.