Altered expression of genes related to innate antifungal immunity in the absence of galectin-3

Abstract

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is the most studied member of the animal galectin family, which comprises βgalactoside-binding lectins and participates in several cellular events. Its expression in cells involved in innate and adaptive immunity is related to anti-and proinflammatory functions, signaling an important role in inflammatory, infectious, and tumorigenesis processes. Mice deficient in Gal-3 exhibit important phenotypes, but it is unclear whether these phenotypes reflect an impairment of the functions of this protein. Gal-3 plays an important role in modulating the immune response to different pathogenic microorganisms. However, the role of Gal-3 in immunity to infection is still poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the effects of Gal-3 deletion on the expression of genes involved in the innate immune response in the lungs, spleens, and brains of Gal-3 KO mice. Gene profiling expression analysis suggested that Gal-3 deletion resulted in differentially modulated expression of the genes encoding beta-glucan, mannose and chitinresponsive pattern recognition receptors, signal transduction, inflammation, and phagocytosis. Our data thus suggest the importance of Gal-3 expression in the host innate immune system.

Influence of Galectin-3 on the Innate Immune Response during Experimental Cryptococcosis

“…Our group demonstrated that the absence of Gal-3, under physiological conditions, promotes changes in the expression of genes involved in innate host immunity [ 13 ], however, we proposed to study the influence of Gal-3 on gene expression in fungal infections compared to the control animal (Gal-3 KO vs. WT). During experimental C. neoformans infection, Gal-3 absence promotes upregulation of chemokines ( ccl12 , cxcl9 and cxcl10 ) and ifn-ɣ in the lungs ( Table S2 and Figure 2 ).…”

“…Galectin-3 plays an important role in the expression of genes related to innate immunity in the host. Its absence, under physiological conditions, promotes differentially modulated genes involved in the transcription of beta-glucan, mannose, and chitin-responsive pattern recognition receptors, signal transduction, inflammation, and phagocytosis [ 13 ]. Recent studies have shown that Gal-3 plays important roles in inflammatory processes and immunity during fungal infections [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

“…The PCR Array was performed as previously described by Rezende et al [ 13 ]. WT and Gal-3 KO mice were euthanized, seven days post-infection, and the lungs, spleens, and brain fragments were aseptically harvested and homogenized in a tissue homogenizer (IKA ® T10 basic homogenizer, Campinas, SP, Brazil).…”

“…Statistical analysis was performed as described by Rezende et al [ 13 ] with slight modifications. The Ct values were normalized using the selection method ( gusb , hprt1 , hsp90ab1 , gadph and actb ), which showed more stable expression between the experimental and control groups.…”

“…Gal-3 may contribute to the innate immune response via pathogen recognition, regulatory cytokine production, cell migration from the innate immune system to the inflammation site, recruitment, and improvement in the macrophage survival and antimicrobial activities [ 12 ]. In addition, the analysis of the expression levels of the genes associated with innate immunity in Gal-3 KO mice under physiological conditions showed the importance of Gal-3 in the innate immune response of the host [ 13 ].…”