title: Galectin-9 inhibits CD44-hyaluronan interaction and suppresses a murine model of allergic asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Galectin-9 (Gal-9) belongs to the galectin family, which exhibits affinity for beta-galactosides. Gal-9 has a variety of biological activities; however, its role in allergic inflammation is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the effect of a stable form of the human protein on allergic airway inflammation in a mite allergen-induced asthma model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human stable Gal-9 was given by intravenous injection to mice during antigen challenge. The effect of Gal-9 on airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was then evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gal-9 reduced AHR as well as Th2-associated airway inflammation. Furthermore, administration of Gal-9 as well as anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody inhibited the infiltration of peripheral blood Th2 cells into the airway. Interestingly, Gal-9 directly bound the CD44 adhesion molecule and inhibited interactions with hyaluronan (HA). Consistent with the concept that CD44-HA interactions mediate the migration of T cells into the lung, Gal-9 blocked CD44-dependent adhesion of BW5147 mouse T cells to HA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that Gal-9 inhibits allergic inflammation of the airway and AHR by modulating CD44-dependent leukocyte recognition of the extracellular matrix.
authors: Department of Cell Regulation, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan. kshigeki@med.kagawa-u.ac.jp
authors: Shigeki
authors: S
authors: Katoh
authors: Naoki
authors: N
authors: Ishii
authors: Atsuya
authors: A
authors: Nobumoto
authors: Keisuke
authors: K
authors: Takeshita
authors: Shu-Yan
authors: SY
authors: Dai
authors: Rika
authors: R
authors: Shinonaga
authors: Toshiro
authors: T
authors: Niki
authors: Nozomu
authors: N
authors: Nishi
authors: Akira
authors: A
authors: Tominaga
authors: Akira
authors: A
authors: Yamauchi
authors: Mitsuomi
authors: M
authors: Hirashima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000276:immunology; D037161:Galectins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000276:immunology*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000276:immunology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C
chemical_list: D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D037161:Galectins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; C105032:LGALS9 protein, human; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451159:Dermatophagoides farinae antigen f 1