title: Therapeutic potential of Galectin-9 in human disease.
abstract: In recent years, an important role has emerged for the glycan-binding protein Galectin-9 (Gal-9) in health and disease. In normal physiology, Gal-9 seems to be a pivotal modulator of T-cell immunity by inducing apoptosis in specific T-cell subpopulations. Because these T-cell populations are associated with autoimmunity, inflammatory disease, and graft rejection, it was postulated that application of exogenous Gal-9 may limit pathogenic T-cell activity. Indeed, treatment with recombinant Gal-9 ameliorates disease activity in various preclinical models of autoimmunity and allograft graft rejection. In many solid cancers, the loss of Gal-9 expression is closely associated with metastatic progression. In line with this observation, treatment with recombinant Gal-9 prevents metastatic spread in various preclinical cancer models. In addition, various hematological malignancies are sensitive to apoptotic elimination by recombinant Gal-9. Here, we review the biology and physiological role of this versatile lectin and discuss the therapeutic potential of Gal-9 in various diseases, including autoimmunity, asthma, infection, and cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Surgical Research Laboratories, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Valerie R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Wiersma
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Bruyn
authors.forename: Wijnand
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Helfrich
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bremer
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D037161:Galectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D037161:Galectins; D007155:Immunologic Factors; C105032:LGALS9 protein, human