Galectins in Equine Placental Disease

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Reproductive Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Galectins are glycan-binding proteins crucial for cell signaling.
• Their role in reproductive processes, including placental dysfunction, is recognized but understudied in horses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alterations in galectin expression in abnormal equine placentas.
• To compare galectin changes in ascending placentitis and focal mucoid placentitis.

Main Methods:

• Next-generation RNA sequencing of postpartum chorioallantois from mares with placentitis and healthy controls.
• Quantitative analysis of galectin expression in diseased versus control placental tissues.

Main Results:

• Ascending placentitis showed increased galectin-1 and galectin-3BP, decreased galectin-8 and galectin-12.
• Focal mucoid placentitis exhibited increased galectin-1, galectin-3BP, galectin-9, galectin-12, and decreased galectin-8.
• Trends for increased galectin-3 and galectin-13 were noted in focal mucoid placentitis.

Conclusions:

• Galectin expression is significantly altered in abnormal equine placentas, with distinct patterns for different pathologies.
• These altered galectins represent potential biomarkers for equine placental inflammation and dysfunction.