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Updated: May 16, 2026
08:35
Identification of Alternative Splicing and Polyadenylation in RNA-seq Data
Published on: June 24, 2021
Profiling Lgals9 splice variant expression at the fetal-maternal interface: implications in normal and pathological
Roy Heusschen1, Nancy Freitag, Irene Tirado-González
1Departments of Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology, Angiogenesis Laboratory, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Biology of Reproduction
|December 18, 2012
Summary
Galectin-9 (LGALS9) plays a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy. Altered expression of LGALS9 isoforms is linked to spontaneous abortion, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for pregnancy complications.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Fetal-maternal tolerance is critical for successful pregnancy.
- Galectin-9 (LGALS9) is an immune-modulating protein found in the reproductive tract.
- The precise function of LGALS9 in pregnancy is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and role of Galectin-9 (LGALS9) isoforms during pregnancy.
- To determine if LGALS9 expression is altered in cases of spontaneous abortion.
Main Methods:
- Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining were used to analyze Lgals9/LGALS9 expression in mouse and human tissues.
- Expression levels were compared between normal pregnancies and spontaneous abortions.
- The effect of LGALS9 on interferon gamma production by decidual natural killer cells was assessed.
Main Results:
- Multiple Lgals9 splice variants were identified and differentially regulated during mouse gestation.
- Decidual Lgals9 expression was dysregulated in a mouse model of spontaneous abortion.
- In humans, decreased expression of LGALS9 D5/10 isoforms correlated with spontaneous abortion.
- The LGALS9 D5 isoform was found to suppress interferon gamma production by decidual natural killer cells.
Conclusions:
- LGALS9 expression is differentially regulated during normal and pathological pregnancies.
- Specific LGALS9 isoforms are implicated in the mechanisms underlying spontaneous abortion.
- LGALS9 may serve as a potential biomarker for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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