The coming of age of galectins as immunomodulatory agents: impact of these carbohydrate binding proteins in T cell physiology and chronic inflammatory disorders

• Published in: Annals of the rheumatic diseases Vol. 64; no. suppl 4; pp. iv96 - iv103
• Main Authors: Ilarregui, J M, Bianco, G A, Toscano, M A, Rabinovich, G A
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism 01-11-2005; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Animals; antigen presenting cell; Antigens; APC; Apoptosis; Autoimmune Diseases - drug therapy; Autoimmune Diseases - immunology; autoimmunity; Binding sites; Biological and medical sciences; carbohydrate recognition domain; Carbohydrates; Cell cycle; Cell growth; Chronic Disease; CIA; collagen-induced arthritis; CRD; Cytokines; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; EAE; EAMG; ECM; endoplasmic reticulum; experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis; Extracellular matrix; galectins; Galectins - immunology; Galectins - therapeutic use; graft versus host disease; GVHD; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; IBD; IFN; Inflammation - drug therapy; Inflammation - immunology; inflammatory bowel disease; Inflammatory diseases; interferon; interleukin; Kinases; Ligands; Localization; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Lymphocytes; Medical sciences; nephrotoxic serum nephritis; NSN; Physiology; Proteins; Rats; Regulation; T cells; T helper; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; TNF; tumor-immune escape; Tumors; tumour necrosis factor; Binding protein; Chronic; Immunological investigation; T-Lymphocyte; Rheumatology; Carbohydrate; Physiology; Inflammatory cell; Age
• ISSN: 0003-4967; 1468-2060
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.2005.044347

Immune cell homoeostasis is attributed to multiple distinct safety valves that are interconnected and intervene at defined checkpoints of the life cycle of immunocytes to guarantee clonal expansion and functional inactivation of self-reactive potentially autoaggressive lymphocytes. Galectins, animal lectins defined by shared consensus amino acid sequence and affinity for β-galactose containing oligosaccharides, are found on various cells of the immune system, and their expression is associated with the differentiation and activation status of these cells. Over the past few years, galectins have been implicated in the regulation of many aspects of T cell physiology such as cell activation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In addition, a growing body of experimental evidence indicates that galectins may play critical roles in the modulation of chronic inflammatory disorders, autoimmunity, and cancer. Given the increased interest of immunologists in this field, the growing body of information raised during the past few years and the potential use of galectins as novel anti-inflammatory agents or targets for immunosuppressive drugs, we will summarise recent advances on the role of galectins in different aspects of T cell physiology and their impact in the development and/or resolution of chronic inflammatory disorders, autoimmunity, and cancer.