No abstract

Mammalian galectin-1 (Gal-1), a beta-galactoside-binding lectin has a prominent role in regulating cell adhesion, cell growth and immune responses. Downregulation of these biological functions may occur via internalization of Gal-1. In the present study we have investigated the mechanism and possible mediator(s) of Gal-1 endocytosis. We show that internalization occurs at a temperature higher than 22 degrees C in an energy dependent fashion. After one hour incubation Gal-1 localizes in the Golgi system within the cells, and then disappears without accumulation in degradation compartments, such as lysosomes. Based on their strong intracellular co-localization, two glycoconjugates, GM1 ganglioside and CD7 are implicated in the sorting of internalized Gal-1 into Golgi. Other known Gal-1 binding glycoproteins on T cells (CD2, CD3, CD43 and CD45) do not cointernalize with the lectin. Internalization of Gal-1 depends on its lectin activity and follows dual pathways involving clathrin-coated vesicles and raft-dependent endocytosis.

This study was carried out to examine the possible role of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the functional insufficiency of regulatory T cells in psoriasis, by comparing the expression of IL-1 receptors on healthy control and psoriatic T cells. Patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis and healthy volunteers, matched in age and sex, were selected for all experiments. CD4+CD25− effector and CD4+CD25+CD127low regulatory T cells were separated and used for the experiments. Expression of the mRNA of IL-1 receptors (IL-1R1, IL-1R2, and sIL-1R2) was determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Cell surface IL-1 receptor expression was assessed by flow cytometry. Relative expression of the signal transmitting IL-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1) mRNA is higher in resting psoriatic effector and regulatory T cells, and activation induces higher IL-1R1 protein expression in psoriatic T cells than in healthy cells. Psoriatic regulatory and effector T cells express increased mRNA levels of the decoy IL-1 receptors (IL-1R2 and sIL-1R2) upon activation compared to healthy counterparts. Psoriatic T cells release slightly more sIL-1R2 into their surrounding than healthy T cells. In conclusion, changes in the expression of IL-1 receptors in psoriatic regulatory and effector T cells could contribute to the pathogenesis of psoriasis.