title: The effect of galectin-1 on the differentiation of fibroblasts and myoblasts in vitro.
abstract: Normal murine dermal fibroblasts implanted into the muscles of the mdx mouse, a model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, not only participate in new myofibre formation but also direct the expression of the protein dystrophin which is deficient in these mice. We have reported that the lectin galectin-1 is implicated in the conversion of dermal fibroblasts to muscle. In the current work we confirm the presence of galectin-1 in the medium used for conversion. Furthermore we report that exposure of clones of dermal fibroblasts to this lectin results in 100% conversion of the cells. Conversion was assessed by the expression within the cells of the muscle-specific cytoskeletal protein desmin. We also investigate the effects of galectin-1 on cells of the C2C12 mouse myogenic cell line and on primary mouse myoblasts. Exposing both transformed and primary myoblasts to the lectin resulted in an increase in fusion of cells to the terminally differentiated state in both types of cultures. Galectin-1 does not cause the myogenic conversion of murine muscle-derived fibroblasts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Division of Neuroscience and Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Charing Cross Campus, St Dunstan's Road, London W6 8RP, UK.
authors.forename: Kirstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goldring
authors.forename: Gareth E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Ramya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thiagarajah
authors.forename: Diana J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Watt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D020405:Dermis / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D037483:Galectin 1; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D037483:Galectin 1; D006388:Hemagglutinins