title: Dimeric galectin-1 induces IL-10 production in T-lymphocytes: an important tool in the regulation of the immune response.
abstract: Galectin-1, a beta-galactoside binding protein that can occur as both a monomer and a homodimer, binds to leucocyte membrane antigens such as CD7, CD43, and CD45, and has immune-regulatory functions in several animal models of autoimmune disease. However, its mechanism of action is only partially understood. In this study, a marked increase in IL-10 mRNA and protein levels was demonstrated in non-activated and activated CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells, following treatment with a high concentration (dimeric form), but not a low concentration (monomeric form), of recombinant galectin-1 protein. IL-10 is known to suppress TH1 type immune responses and upregulation of IL-10 may thus contribute to the immune-regulatory function of galectin-1. Galectin-1 was strongly expressed on the endothelial cells of human kidney allografts, suggesting a role in the regulation of immune responses in transplantation. Administration of high concentrations of galectin-1 may be a useful tool in the treatment of T-cell-mediated diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Groningen University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Leij
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: Tjasso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Blokzijl
authors.forename: Geert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Harms
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Goor
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zwiers
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Weeghel
authors.forename: Sibrand
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poppema
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Visser
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000276:immunology; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D037483:Galectin 1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma