Inflammation-induced modulation of cellular galectin-1 and -3 expression in a model of rat peritonitis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of galectin-1 (Gal-1) and -3 (Gal-3) on leukocyte migration and analyze the expression of both galectins in inflammatory cells using a model of rat peritonitis.


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 4 per group).


METHODS
Peritonitis was induced in animals through intraperitoneal injection of carrageenin (1.5 mg/kg) and rat mesenteries were analyzed at different time points (0, 4, 24 and 48h). For pharmacological treatment, rats received intravenous injection of Gal-1 or -3 (3microg/kg) followed by carrageenin.


METHODS
Western blotting and immunoelectron microscopy analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.


RESULTS
Pharmacological treatment with Gal-1, but not Gal-3, inhibited (approximately 50 %) leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity at 4 h time-point. In this early phase, immunogold staining of mesenteries showed a diminished Gal-3 expression in degranulated mast cells and Gal-1 in transmigrated neutrophils (approximately 20 % reduction compared to intravascular cells). In the later phases (24 and 48h), leukocyte turnover was associated with augmented Gal-1 expression in neutrophils and macrophages and Gal-3 in mast cells and macrophages.


CONCLUSIONS
These results point to a balanced expression of cell-associated-Gal-1/Gal-3 and might impact on the development of new therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases.
Gil
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CD
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine (FAMERP), Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima 5416, 15090-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
Cooper
D
D
Rosignoli
G
G
Perretti
M
M
Oliani
S M
SM