Regulated expression of galectin-1 during B-cell activation and implications for T-cell apoptosis.
Galectin-1 (GAL-1), a highly conserved beta-galactoside-binding protein, has shown immunomodulatory properties. In this study, we investigated the regulation of GAL-1 expression within the B-cell compartment using Trypanosoma cruzi infection as a natural model of in vivo B-cell activation. GAL-1 was found to be expressed on activated B cells from T. cruzi-infected mice, mainly localized at the cytosolic compartment. Expression of this protein was found to be modulated according to the activation state of the cells, revealing a significant increase in stimulated B cells that received signals via cross-linking of the B-cell receptor and CD40. It was found that GAL-1 was secreted by B cells to the extracellular milieu upon activation. Finally, purified GAL-1 produced by activated B cells induced apoptosis of T cells but not B cells and also influenced interferon-gamma cytokine production. Hence, the present study describes a potential mechanism by which B cells can regulate T-cell function and survival.
Zuñiga
E
E
Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Argentina.
Rabinovich
G A
GA
Iglesias
M M
MM
Gruppi
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D037483:Galectin 1; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi
D000906:Antibodies; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D037483:Galectin 1; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides