title: Galectin-3 in macrophage-like cells exposed to immunomodulatory drugs.
abstract: During the last few decades, the effects of immunomodulatory drugs on numerous molecules and biological processes have been widely studied. Nevertheless, the relationship between immunomodulatory drugs and lectin expression/function is still to be elucidated. In this study, we used THP-1-derived macrophages to investigate the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin and indomethacin) and glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone and dexamethasone) on galectin-3, a multifunctional beta-galactoside binding lectin, which in general acts as a strong pro-inflammatory signal. The results showed that all immunomodulatory drugs applied in clinically relevant doses affect both the gene (LGALS3) and protein expression level of galectin-3. The provoked changes on protein level are qualitatively and quantitatively different comparing to the effects on galectin-3 mRNA level, and depend on the differentiation state of the cell, drug type and applied concentration as well as on time of the exposure. Our data revealed galectin-3 as a new target molecule of immunomodulatory drugs, thus suggesting an additional pathway of their action on immune response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Croatia. sanjad@pharma.hr
authors.forename: Sanja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dabelic
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Supraha
authors.forename: Jerka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dumic
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D037502:Galectin 3; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger