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Menkhorst E, Than NG, Jeschke U, Barrientos G, Szereday L, Dveksler G, Blois SM. Medawar's PostEra: Galectins Emerged as Key Players During Fetal-Maternal Glycoimmune Adaptation. Front Immunol 2022; 12:784473. [PMID: 34975875 PMCID: PMC8715898 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.784473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lectin-glycan interactions, in particular those mediated by the galectin family, regulate many processes required for a successful pregnancy. Over the past decades, increasing evidence gathered from in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that members of the galectin family specifically bind to both intracellular and membrane bound carbohydrate ligands regulating angiogenesis, immune-cell adaptations required to tolerate the fetal semi-allograft and mammalian embryogenesis. Therefore, galectins play important roles in fetal development and placentation contributing to maternal and fetal health. This review discusses the expression and role of galectins during the course of pregnancy, with an emphasis on maternal immune adaptions and galectin-glycan interactions uncovered in the recent years. In addition, we summarize the galectin fingerprints associated with pathological gestation with particular focus on preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Menkhorst
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Gynaecological Research Centre, The Women's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nandor Gabor Than
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Research Group, Institute of Enyzmology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Udo Jeschke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Gabriela Barrientos
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental, Hospital Alemán-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laszlo Szereday
- Medical School, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Gabriela Dveksler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sandra M Blois
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Sewgobind NV, Albers S, Pieters RJ. Functions and Inhibition of Galectin-7, an Emerging Target in Cellular Pathophysiology. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1720. [PMID: 34827718 PMCID: PMC8615947 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectin-7 is a soluble unglycosylated lectin that is able to bind specifically to β-galactosides. It has been described to be involved in apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation, but also in cell adhesion and migration. Several disorders and diseases are discussed by covering the aforementioned biological processes. Structural features of galectin-7 are discussed as well as targeting the protein intracellularly or extracellularly. The exact molecular mechanisms that lie behind many biological processes involving galectin-7 are not known. It is therefore useful to come up with chemical probes or tools in order to obtain knowledge of the physiological processes. The objective of this review is to summarize the roles and functions of galectin-7 in the human body, providing reasons why it is necessary to design inhibitors for galectin-7, to give the reader structural insights and describe its current inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roland J. Pieters
- Department of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80082, NL-3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands; (N.V.S.); (S.A.)
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Wang Z, Jiang S, Li S, Yu W, Chen J, Yu D, Zhao C, Li Y, Kang K, Wang R, Liang M, Xu M, Ou Y, Li P, Leng X, Tian J, R-Porter T. Targeted galectin-7 inhibition with ultrasound microbubble targeted gene therapy as a sole therapy to prevent acute rejection following heart transplantation in a Rodent model. Biomaterials 2020; 263:120366. [PMID: 32950914 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite significant advances in transplantation, acute cellular rejection (AR) remains a major obstacle that is most prevalent in the first months post heart transplantation (HT). Current treatments require high doses of immunosuppressive drugs followed by maintenance therapies that have systemic side effects including early infection. In this study, we attempted to prevent AR with a myocardial-targeted galectin-7-siRNA delivery method using cationic microbubbles (CMBs) combined with ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) to create local immunosuppression in a rat abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation acute rejection model. METHODS AND RESULTS Galectin-7-siRNA (siGal-7) bound to CMBs were synthesized and effective ultrasound-targeted delivery of siGal-7 into target cells confirmed in vitro. Based on these observations, three transplant rat models were tested:①isograft (ISO); ② Allograft (ALLO) +UTMD; and ③ALLO + PBS. UTMD treatments were administered at 1, 3, 5, 7 days after HT. Galectin 7 expression was reduced by 50% compared to ALLO + PBS (p < 0.005), and this was associated with significant reductions in both galectin 7 and Interleukin-2 protein levels (p < 0.001). The ALLO + UTMD group had Grade II or less inflammatory infiltration and myocyte damage in 11/12 rats using International Society For Heart and Lung Transplantation grading, compared to 0/12 rats with this grading in the ALLO + PBS group at 10 days post HT (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound-targeted galectin-7-siRNA knockdown with UTMD can prevent acute cellular rejection in the early period after allograft heart transplantation without the need for systemic immunosuppression. KEY WORDS Microbubble, Acute Rejection, Heart Transplantation, Galectin-7, RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Wang
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China; The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Harbin Medical University, Ministry Education, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Shuangquan Jiang
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Shouqiang Li
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China; The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Harbin Medical University, Ministry Education, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Weidong Yu
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Jianfeng Chen
- Laboratory Animal Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Dandan Yu
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yingjie Li
- Department of Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Kai Kang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Ranran Wang
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Mengmeng Liang
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Mingyuan Xu
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yanmei Ou
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Piyu Li
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Xiaoping Leng
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China; The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Harbin Medical University, Ministry Education, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Jiawei Tian
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China; The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Harbin Medical University, Ministry Education, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Thomas R-Porter
- Department of Cardiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, NE 68198, USA
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Luo Z, Ji Y, Tian D, Zhang Y, Chang S, Yang C, Zhou H, Chen ZK. Galectin-7 promotes proliferation and Th1/2 cells polarization toward Th1 in activated CD4+ T cells by inhibiting The TGFβ/Smad3 pathway. Mol Immunol 2018; 101:80-85. [PMID: 29890367 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Galectin-7 (Gal-7) has been associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis. It is known that Gal-7 antagonises TGFβ-mediated effects in hepatocytes by interacting with Smad3. Previously, we have demonstrated that Gal-7 is related to CD4+ T cells responses; nevertheless, its effect and functional mechanism on CD4+ T cells responses remain unclear. The murine CD4+ T cells were respectively cultured with Gal-7, anti-CD3/CD28 mAbs, or with anti-CD3/CD28 mAbs & Gal-7. The effects of Gal-7 on proliferation and the phenotypic changes in CD4+ T cells were assessed by flow cytometry. The cytokines from CD4+ T cells were analysed by quantitative real-time PCR. Subcellular localisation and expression of Smad3 were determined by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot, respectively. Gal-7 enhanced the proliferation of activated CD4+ T cells in a dose- and β-galactoside-dependent manner. Additionally, Gal-7 treatment did not change the ratio of Th2 cells in activated CD4+ T cells, while it increased the ratio of Th1 cells. Gal-7 also induced activated CD4+ T cells to produce a higher level of IFN-γ and TNF-α and a lower level of IL-10. Moreover, Gal-7 treatment significantly accelerated nuclear export of Smad3 in activated CD4+ T cells. These results revealed a novel role of Gal-7 in promoting proliferation and Th1/2 cells polarization toward Th1 in activated CD4+ T cells by inhibiting the TGFβ/Smad3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlong Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Yudong Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Dean Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Sheng Chang
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Chao Yang
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Hongmin Zhou
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China.
| | - Zhonghua Klaus Chen
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China.
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Zhao Y, Zhao S, Li H, Qin X, Wu X. Expression of galectin-7 in vulvar lichen sclerosus and its effect on dermal fibroblasts. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:2559-2564. [PMID: 30013650 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic and inflammatory disease. Extensive studies have focused on the epidermis, with the dermis or epidermis-dermis receiving less attention. To investigate the role of galectin-7, a keratinocyte protein, in vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) and its potential effects on dermal fibroblasts, immunohistochemical staining was performed with VLS tissue samples and normal control samples. The expression of galectin-7 was determined by evaluating the galectin-7 integrated density analysis, and further assessed by western blot analysis. Dermal fibroblasts were isolated from the normal tissue of the female anogenital region following sexual plastic surgery. A cell viability assay was performed on isolated dermal fibroblast cells in the presence or absence of galectin-7. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to determine the transcriptional level of collagen I and collagen III in the response to different doses of galectin-7. In the immunohistochemical analysis, galectin-7 demonstrated a significantly elevated level in VLS, compared to control tissues, which was confirmed by western blot analysis. In the analysis of primary dermal fibroblast cells, galectin-7 significantly inhibited the viability rate of fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. RT-qPCR data revealed that the transcription level of collagen I and collagen III were positively associated with the galectin-7 treatment concentration. The overexpression of galectin-7 is associated with the progression of VLS in the epidermis, a high concentration of galectin-7 inhibits the viability of the primary vulvar dermal fibroblasts, and stimulates the accumulation of collagen I and collagen III in dermal fibroblast cultures, thus galectin-7 may serve as a drug target during VLS progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Shanshan Zhao
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Xin Qin
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Xin Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
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Immunohistochemical Analysis of Galectins-1, -3, and -7 in Periapical Granulomas, Radicular Cysts, and Residual Radicular Cysts. J Endod 2018; 44:728-733. [PMID: 29510866 DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 11/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Galectins play important roles in immunoinflammatory responses, but their participation in the development of periapical lesions remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the expressions of galectins-1, -3, and -7 in periapical lesions, correlating them with the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate and the pattern of the cystic epithelium. METHODS Twenty periapical granulomas (PGs), 20 radicular cysts (RCs), and 20 residual radicular cysts (RRCs) were submitted to immunohistochemistry using anti-galectin-1, -3, and -7 antibodies. The percentage of immunopositive cells in epithelial and connective tissues was determined. RESULTS In connective tissue, PGs exhibited higher cytoplasmic/membrane expression of galectins-1 and -7 than RCs and RRCs (P < .05). There was higher nuclear expression of galectin-1 in PGs compared with RCs and RRCs (P < .05). The expression of galectins-1 and -7 in connective tissue was higher in lesions with grade III inflammation (P < .05). No significant differences in galectin-3 immunoexpression were observed for any of the parameters evaluated (P > .05). In the epithelial component, a higher nuclear expression of galectin-7 was detected in RRCs (P < .05), and a higher cytoplasmic/membrane expression of this protein was found in cysts with hyperplastic epithelium (P < .05). Positive correlations were observed between the nuclear and cytoplasmic/membrane expression of galectin-1 in connective tissue (P < .05) as well as between the nuclear and cytoplasmic/membrane expression of galectin-7 in epithelial tissue of cysts (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Galectins-1 and -7 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of PGs, RCs, and RRCs. On the other hand, the present results suggest only a minor involvement of galectin-3 in the development of these lesions.
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Intracellular galectin-7 expression in cancer cells results from an autocrine transcriptional mechanism and endocytosis of extracellular galectin-7. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187194. [PMID: 29117220 PMCID: PMC5678874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The β-galactoside binding protein galectin-7 (gal-7) is constitutively expressed at abnormally high levels in the outside milieu and intracellular compartments of many types of epithelial cancer cells, most notably in aggressive forms of ovarian and breast cancer. It is thus of utmost importance to understand how gal-7 traffics between both intracellular and extracellular compartments to develop novel drugs that target the protumorigenic functions of galectin-7. In the present work, we report that extracellular gal-7 plays a central role in controlling intracellular gal-7 in cells. It does so via two distinct yet complementary mechanisms: firstly by increasing the transcriptional activation of lgals7 gene transcription, and secondly via re-entry into the cells. Increased mRNA levels were dose- and time-dependent and occur in all cell lines tested, including ovarian and breast cancer cell lines. Addition of recombinant gal-7 to MDA-MB-231 transfected with a luciferase reporter vector containing response elements of the lgals7 promoter indicated that increased mRNA level of lgals7 occurs via de novo gene transcription. Re-entry of extracellular gal-7 inside cells was rapid, and reached cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments. Taken together, these findings reveal the existence of a positive self-amplification pathway that regulates intracellular gal-7 expression in breast and ovarian cancer cells.
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Sugaya S, Chen WS, Cao Z, Kenyon KR, Yamaguchi T, Omoto M, Hamrah P, Panjwani N. Comparison of galectin expression signatures in rejected and accepted murine corneal allografts. Cornea 2015; 34:675-681. [PMID: 25961492 PMCID: PMC4430336 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000000439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although members of the galectin family of carbohydrate-binding proteins are thought to play a role in the immune response and regulation of allograft survival, little is known about the galectin expression signature in failed corneal grafts. The aim of this study was to compare the galectin expression pattern in accepted and rejected murine corneal allografts. METHODS Using BALB/c mice as recipients and C57BL/6 mice as donors, a total of 57 transplants were successfully performed. One week after transplantation, the grafts were scored for opacity by slit-lamp microscopy. Opacity scores of 3+ or greater on postoperative week 4 were considered rejected. Grafted corneas were harvested on postoperative week 4, and their galectin expressions were analyzed by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS As determined by the Western blot analyses, galectins-1, 3, 7, 8 and 9 were expressed in normal corneas. Although in both accepted and rejected grafts, expression levels of the 5 lectins were upregulated compared with normal corneas, there were distinct differences in the expression levels of galectins-8 and 9 between accepted and rejected grafts, as both the Western blot and immunofluorescence staining revealed that galectin-8 is upregulated, whereas galectin-9 is downregulated in the rejected grafts compared with the accepted grafts. CONCLUSIONS Our findings that corneal allograft rejection is associated with increased galectin-8 expression and reduced galectin-9 expression, support the hypothesis that galectin-8 may reduce graft survival, whereas galectin-9 may promote graft survival. As a potential therapeutic intervention, inhibition of galectin-8 and/or treatment with exogenous galectin-9 may enhance corneal allograft survival rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Sugaya
- New England Eye Center/Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wei-Sheng Chen
- Program in Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhiyi Cao
- New England Eye Center/Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth R Kenyon
- New England Eye Center/Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
- Schepens Eye Research Institute / Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, USA
| | - Takefumi Yamaguchi
- Schepens Eye Research Institute / Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, USA
| | - Masashiro Omoto
- Schepens Eye Research Institute / Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, USA
| | - Pedram Hamrah
- Schepens Eye Research Institute / Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, USA
| | - Noorjahan Panjwani
- New England Eye Center/Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
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Menkhorst E, Gamage T, Cuman C, Kaitu'u-Lino T, Tong S, Dimitriadis E. Galectin-7 acts as an adhesion molecule during implantation and increased expression is associated with miscarriage. Placenta 2014; 35:195-201. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2014.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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