Abstract
In recent years galectin-3 has gained attention as a signalling molecule, mainly in inflammatory diseases. Data on galectin-3 expression in neonates, however, are limited, and expression of this lectin in cord blood has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to determine galectin-3 levels in cord blood of term and preterm neonates as well as galectin-3 levels in cord blood of term neonates after stimulation with the prevalent pathogen Streptococcusagalactiae. Cord blood samples were incubated for 24h and galectin-3 levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. There is a positive correlation between gestational age and galectin-3 levels in cord blood. Expression of galectin-3 is significantly higher in cord blood of small-for-gestational-age infants compared to appropriate-for-gestational-age infants. Stimulation with an invasive but not with a colonizing strain of S.agalactiae induced expression of galectin-3. Galectin-3 is expressed constitutively in cord blood of neonates and seems to play a role in the innate immunity of this population.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Clinical and Experimental Immunology |
| Volume | 167 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 246-251 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| ISSN | 0009-9104 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 01.02.2012 |
