Placental expression of inflammatory Galectin-12 is associated with gestational diabetes

Objectives Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a growing health concern. Since members of the galectin-family are identified to play a role in the pathogenesis of GDM, we determined galectin-12 as an essential protein due to its influence in lipolysis and inflammation processes. This study investigates the expression of galectin-12 in the placentas of women with GDM. Study design The study population includes 40 expectant women suffering from GDM and 40 healthy controls. The expression of galectin-12 in the syncytiotrophoblast (SCT) and the extra villous trophoblast (EVT) of the placenta was analyzed by immunohistological staining and double immunofluorescence. Immunoreactivity Score (IRS) was used for evaluation. Results The results demonstrate a significant overexpression of galectin-12 in the nucleus of the SCT and the EVT of placentas with GDM compared to the healthy control group.Additionally, double immunofluorescence visualizes corresponding results with an overexpression of galectin-12 in the extra villous trophoblast of GDM placentas representing maternal cells. Conclusion This study identifies galectin-12 to be associated with the process of gestational diabetes mellitus. These findings are in correspondence with the involvement of galectin-12 in inflammatory processes. Maternal BMI and male sex seem to be confounder for the expression of galectin-12 in the nuclear syncytiotrophoblast, but not in other parts of the investigated placental areas. Further investigations are necessary to verify the correlation between gestational diabetes mellitus and the expression of galectin-12 in the placenta and to further elucidate its distinct role.