Galectin signature in pregnancy: defining the contribution of galectin-3

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Galectin-3, a chimera type carbohydrate-binding protein, plays a major role in biological processes such as growth, cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, cell-cycle progression, apoptosis, angiogenesis and immune system regulation. This lectin is abundant in the female tract and its expression is increased during pregnancy. However, the physiological role of galectin-3 over gestation remains to be elucidated. In the current proposal, we intend to define and characterize the contribution of gal-3 to the process of gestation. First of all we would like to define its role during the angiogenesis process associated with pregnancy. Next, we will focus on the contributions of fetal- and maternally- derived gal-3 to the pregnancy process and finally we will investigate the balance of gal-3 expression associated with pregnancy disorders (with special focus on spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes). We aim to define the galectin signature in pathological pregnancies encoring a precise early diagnosis for pregnancy complications. Thus, our results will contribute to the understanding of the physiological role played by galectin-3 adding valuable information to the management of diseases over gestation.