Galectin-3 in cord blood of term and preterm infants

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 Streptococcus agalactiae. Cord blood samples were incubated for 24 h 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.