Elevated systemic galectin-1 levels characterize HELLP syndrome. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schnabel, Annegret; Blois, Sandra M.; Meint, Peter; Freitag, Nancy; Ernst, Wolfgang; Barrientos, Gabriela; Conrad, Melanie L.; Rose, Matthias; Seelbach-Göbel, Birgit
• Is Part Of: Journal of reproductive immunology. Volume 114(2016)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: HELLP hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets -- PlGF placental growth factor -- sFlt-1 soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase -- gal-1 galectin-1 -- PE preeclampsis -- ETV extravillous trophoblasts -- uNK uterine natural killer cells; Galectin-1 -- Angiogenic factors -- HELLP -- Pregnancy; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunology; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 615.766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2016.02.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-0378

Abstract

Highlights: HELLP syndrome is associated with increased systemic levels of gal-1. Gal-1-mediated responses and the pathogenesis of HELLP syndrome. Integration of gal-1 to the diagnostic analysis may provide effective prediction of HELLP syndrome. Abstract: Galectin-1 (gal-1), a member of a family of conserved β-galactoside-binding proteins, has been shown to exert a key role during gestation. Though gal-1 is expressed at higher levels in the placenta from HELLP patients, it is still poorly understood whether systemic gal-1 levels also differ in HELLP patients. In the present study, we evaluated the systemic expression of gal-1, together with the angiogenic factors, placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) in conjunction with HELLP syndrome severity. Systemic levels of gal-1 and sFlt-1 were elevated in patients with both early- and late-onset HELLP syndrome as compared to healthy controls. In contrast, peripheral PlGF levels were decreased in early- and late-onset HELLP. A positive correlation between systemic gal-1 levels and sFlt-1/PlGF ratios was found in early onset HELLP patients. Our results show that HELLP syndrome is associated with increased circulating levels of gal-1; integrating systemic gal-1 measurements into the diagnostic analyses of pregnant women may provide more effective prediction of HELLP syndrome development.