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Galectin-3 regulates the innate immune response of human monocytes.

Abstract
Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside binding lectin widely expressed on epithelial and hematopoietic cells and its expression is frequently associated with a poor prognosis in cancer. Since it has not been well-studied in human infectious disease, we examined galectin-3 expression in mycobacterial infection by studying leprosy, an intracellular infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Galectin-3 was highly expressed on macrophages in lesions of patients with the clinically progressive lepromatous form of leprosy; in contrast, galectin-3 was almost undetectable in self-limited tuberculoid lesions. We investigated the potential function of galectin-3 in cell-mediated immunity using peripheral blood monocytes. Galectin-3 enhanced monocyte IL-10 production to a TLR2/1 ligand, while IL-12p40 secretion was unaffected. Furthermore, galectin-3 diminished monocyte to DC differentiation and T cell antigen presentation. These data demonstrate an association of galectin-3 with unfavorable host response in leprosy and a potential mechanism for impaired host defense in humans.

More information

Type
Journal Article
Author
Chung A
Sieling PA
Schenk M
Teles R
Krutzik SR
Hsu D
Liu F
Sarno E
Stenger S
Modlin RL
Lee DJ

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