AUTHOR=Luz Luana Carvalho , Ribeiro Mayara , Teixeira Samuel Cota , de Souza Guilherme , Paschoalino Marina , Sousa Daniel Pereira , Rosini Alessandra Monteiro , dos Santos Natalia Carine Lima , de Oliveira Rafael Martins , de Lima Júnior Joed Pires , Damasceno Izadora Santos , Almeida Marcos Paulo Oliveira , Barbosa Matheus Carvalho , Alves Celene Maria de Oliveira Simões , da Silva Claudio Vieira , Barbosa Bellisa Freitas , Ferro Eloisa Amália Vieira 

TITLE=Galectin-3 plays a key role in controlling infection by Toxoplasma gondii in human trophoblast cells and human villous explants

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1459810

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2024.1459810

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactoside-binding lectin expressed in cells of the placental microenvironment. This lectin is involved in various biological processes, such as modulation of the immune system and control of parasitic illness. Toxoplasma gondii infection can lead to congenital transmission and cause miscarriages, prematurity and fetal anomalies. However, little is known about the role of Gal-3 in T. gondii infection in the placental microenvironment. This study aimed to unravel the underlying mechanisms of Gal-3 during T. gondii infection. For this purpose, we promoted the knockdown of Gal-3 expression by using RNA interference (RNAi) in BeWo cells or by using a synthetic inhibitor (GB1107) in human villous explants. We showed that the decreased Gal-3 expression in BeWo cells and human villous explants increases the invasion and proliferation of T. gondii probably by downregulating MIF and IL6 levels, highlighting thus the role of this lectin in modulating the immune response. Collectively, our study reveals Gal-3 as a promising target protein during congenital toxoplasmosis.