title: Examination of galectins in phagocytosis.
abstract: Galectins, a family of β-galactoside-binding proteins, are expressed in many different phagocytic leukocytes (granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages). A number of family members have been shown to play an important role in ingestion of particles (phagocytosis), thus contributing to clearance of damaged cells and host defense against pathogens. Here we describe procedures for analysis of the roles of galectins in phagocytosis by using galectin-3 as an example. We emphasize the function of endogenous galectin-3 as determined by comparison of phagocytosis by macrophages from galectin-3 knockout mice and wild-type mice. We focus on the role of galectin-3 in phagocytosis of pathogens and Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis of opsonized cells and particles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Huan-Yuan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: I-Chun
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Chi-Shan
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Fu-Tong
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007840:Latex; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008863:Microspheres; D010587:Phagocytosis; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000378:metabolism; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D037502:Galectin 3; D007840:Latex; D017452:Receptors, IgG