title: Galectin-3 inhibits Schwann cell proliferation in cultured sciatic nerve.
abstract: The production of galectin-3, a carbohydrate-binding mammalian lectin, is upregulated in Schwann cells after peripheral nerve injury in areas where Schwann cells proliferate. Here we tested if galectin-3 affected proliferation of Schwann cells in cultured sciatic nerve segments. Galectin-3 significantly decreased the number of bromodeoxyuridine-labelled Schwann cell nuclei. Neither lactose nor a synthetic inhibitor directed against the carbohydrate-binding region abolished the effects of galectin-3. In addition, a mutant galectin-3 unable to bind endogenous carbohydrates had similar effects as normal galectin-3. We conclude that galectin-3 reduces proliferation of Schwann cells in cultured sciatic nerve segments by a mechanism which is independent of its carbohydrate-binding moiety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Organism Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. per.gustavsson@cob.lu.se
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gustavsson
authors.forename: Cecilia Eriksson
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Linsmeier
authors.forename: Hakon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leffler
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanje
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D037502:Galectin 3