Galectin-1 research in T cell immunity: past, present and future.
Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is one of 15 evolutionarily conserved ß-galactoside-binding proteins that display biologically-diverse activities in pathogenesis of inflammation and cancer. Gal-1 is variably expressed on immune cells and endothelial cells, though is commonly found and secreted at high levels in cancer cells. It induces apoptosis in effector T cells through homodimeric binding of N-acetyllactosamines on membrane glycoproteins (Gal-1 ligands). There is also compelling evidence in models of cancer and autoimmunity that recombinant Gal-1 (rGal-1) can potentiate immunoregulatory function of T cells. Here, we review Gal-1's structural and functional features, while analyzing potential drawbacks and technical difficulties inherent to rGal-1's nature. We also describe new Gal-1 preparations that exhibit dimeric stability and functional activity on T cells, providing renewed excitement for studying Gal-1 efficacy and/or use as anti-inflammatory therapeutics. We lastly summarize strategies targeting the Gal-1-Gal-1 ligand axis to circumvent Gal-1-driven immune escape in cancer and boost anti-tumor immunity.
Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Filiberto
F
Cedeno-Laurent
Charles J
CJ
Dimitroff
D000606:Amino Sugars / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000276:immunology; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000266:history / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000276:immunology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D008024:Ligands; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D000606:Amino Sugars; D037483:Galectin 1; D008024:Ligands; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C000458:N-acetyllactosamine