Galectin-3 contributes to neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
Inflammation induced by hypoxia-ischemia (HI) contributes to the development of injury in the newborn brain. In this study, we investigated the role of galectin-3, a novel inflammatory mediator, in the inflammatory response and development of brain injury in a mouse model for neonatal HI. Galectin-3 gene and protein expression was increased after injury and galectin-3 was located in activated microglia/macrophages. Galectin-3-deficient mice (gal3-/-) were protected from injury particularly in hippocampus and striatum. Microglia accumulation was increased in the gal3-/- mice but accompanied by decreased levels of total matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and nitrotyrosine. The protection and increase in microglial infiltration was more pronounced in male gal3-/- mice. Trophic factors and apoptotic markers did not significantly differ between groups. In conclusion, galectin-3 contributes to neonatal HI injury particularly in male mice. Our results indicate that galectin-3 exerts its effect by modulating the inflammatory response.
Doverhag
Christina
C
Perinatal Center, Dept. of Physiology and Neuroscience and Dept of Paediatrics, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Hedtjärn
Maj
M
Poirier
Françoise
F
Mallard
Carina
C
Hagberg
Henrik
H
Karlsson
Anna
A
Sävman
Karin
K
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005911:Gliosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism
D037502:Galectin 3; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; C485095:Lgals3 protein, mouse; C002744:3-nitrotyrosine; D014443:Tyrosine; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9