title: Human galectins as sensors for apoptosis/necrosis-associated surface changes of granulocytes and lymphocytes.
abstract: Changes in the glycomic profile can significantly affect the cells' communication with the environment. Plant lectins have so far been used to address the issue as to whether the courses of apoptosis or necrosis are associated with such alterations. We, here, initiate the study of members of the family of functionally pleiotropic human galectins in this respect. Established protocols for the induction of apoptosis/necrosis of blood cells and for flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide were combined with cell surface staining using biotinylated galectins at a nontoxic concentration. The galectin panel covered members from all three subfamilies. Flow cytometry revealed specific binding of galectins to viable control cells and conspicuous staining differences when testing apoptotic or necrotic cells. Onset and especially progression of cell death led to pronounced reactivity with the proto-type galectins-1, -2, and -7 and tandem-repeat-type galectin-4. Extent of staining depended on the nature and stage of cell death, type of dying cell, and type of galectin. Galectins act as sensors for cell-death-associated surface changes. Staining of late-apoptotic polymorphonuclear cells was particularly strong. Examining the functional significance of this result may reveal a new aspect within the surveillance system to protect against autoinflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department for Internal Medicine 3, Institute for Clinical Immunology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstr. 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: André
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaltner
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lensch
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Franz
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sarter
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schulze
authors.forename: Udo S
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Gaipl
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: Hans-Joachim
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Gabius
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D037161:Galectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D009336:Necrosis
chemical_list: D037161:Galectins