title: Galectin-1 enhances astrocytic BDNF production and improves functional outcome in rats following ischemia.
abstract: Galectin-1, an endogenous mammalian lectin, has been implicated in a variety of CNS disorders. However, its role in cerebral ischemia is still elusive. In the present study, we investigated the effect of recombinant galectin-1 on production of astrocytic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and functional recovery following ischemia. Endogenous galectin-1 was found to be markedly upregulated, paralleled with increased astrocytic BDNF production under ischemic conditions both in vitro and in vivo. Administration of galectin-1 significantly enhanced the expression and secretion of astrocytic BDNF in dose dependent manner. Moreover, rats subjected to photochemical cerebral ischemia showed reduced neuronal apoptosis in ischemic boundary zone and improved functional recovery after brain infusion of galectin-1 (1 μg/days, 7 days). These results suggest that induction of BDNF in astrocytes by galectin-1 may be a promising intervention to attenuate brain damage after stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wen-sheng
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Yi-hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jian-ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ying-xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Dai-shi
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Zhi-yuan
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Min-jie
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D037483:Galectin 1