Galectin-1: a key effector of regulation mediated by CD4+CD25+ T cells.
The naturally occurring population of dedicated regulatory T cells that coexpress CD4 and CD25 is known to play a key role in the maintenance of peripheral T-cell tolerance; however, their mechanism of action has remained obscure. Here we report that a member of the family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins, galectin-1, is overexpressed in regulatory T cells, and that expression is increased after activation. Most importantly, blockade of galectin-1 binding significantly reduced the inhibitory effects of human and mouse CD4+CD25+ T cells. Reduced regulatory activity was observed in CD4+CD25+ T cells obtained from galectin-1-homozygous null mutant mice. These results suggest that galectin-1 is a key effector of the regulation mediated by these cells.
Garín
Marina I
MI
Immunoregulation Laboratory, Department of Nephrology and Transplantation, King's College London School of Medicine at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, United Kingdom.
Chu
Chung-Ching
CC
Golshayan
Dela
D
Cernuda-Morollón
Eva
E
Wait
Robin
R
Lechler
Robert I
RI
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015415:Biomarkers; D003470:Culture Media; D037483:Galectin 1; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell