Galectin-1 Ameliorates Influenza A H1N1pdm09 Virus-Induced Acute Lung Injury

Abstract

Influenza remains one of the major epidemic diseases worldwide. Acute lung injury mainly caused by excessive pro-inflammatory host immune responses leads to high mortality rates in severe influenza patients. Galectin-1, an animal lectin ubiquitously expressed in mammalian tissues, is reported to play important roles in viral diseases. Here, we established murine and A549 cell models to explore the potential roles of galectin-1 treatment in H1N1pdm09-induced acute lung injury. We found that galectin-1 protein level was elevated in A549 cell culture supernatants and mouse BALF after H1N1pdm09 challenge. In vivo experiments showed recombinant galectin-1 treatment reduced wet/dry weight ratio, inflammatory cell infiltration in mouse lungs and mediated the expression of cytokines and chemokines including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12(p40), IL-12(p70), G-CSF, MCP-1, MIP-1α and RANTES in serum and BALF of infected mice. Reduced apoptosis and viral titers in mouse lungs were also found after galectin-1 treatment. As expected, galectin-1 treated mice performed reduced body weight loss and enhanced survival rate against H1N1pdm09 challenge. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that viral titers decreased in a dose-dependent manner and cell apoptosis in A549 cells reduced after recombinant galectin-1 treatment. Taken together, our findings indicate a potentially positive effect of Gal-1 treatment on ameliorating the progress of H1N1pdm09-induced acute lung injury and recombinant galectin-1 might serve as a new agent in treating influenza.

Galectin-1 as the new player in staging and prognosis of COVID-19

“…The role of Gal-1 in progression of some type of viral infections is known. Bao et al showed that in in vivo model, treatment with Gal-1 decreased viral titer and inflammatory cell infiltrations in lungs of mice infected with H1N1pdm09 virus, stimulates production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid 24 . During Influenza viral infection, level of Gal-1 was increased in lungs of infected mice, while Gal-1 knock-out mice were more prone to Influenza virus infection compared to wild-type group.…”

Genetic LGALS1 Variants Are Associated with Heterogeneity in Galectin-1 Serum Levels in Patients with Early Arthritis

“…It is commonly proposed that Gal1 is a soluble protein that functions in the extracellular environment by interacting with glycosylated receptors or intracellularly by controlling signaling pathways through protein-glycan or protein-protein interactions [22]. However, the role of Gal1 on IL-6 production is controversial with studies suggesting Gal1 as an inducer [23][24][25] whereas others suggest that Gal1 decreases IL-6 production [13,[26][27][28]. Our data support this last proposition since even adjusting for disease activity, genetic variants in IL-6 or IL-6R or methotrexate dose, LGALS1 variants associated with higher Gal1 serum levels were associated with lower IL-6 levels.…”

Galectin-1, The New Player in Staging and Prognosis of COVID-19

“…The role of Galectin-1 in progression of some type of virus infections is known. Bao et al showed that in in vivo model, treatment with Galectin-1 decreased viral titer and inflammatory cell infiltrations in lungs of mice infected with H1N1pdm09 virus, stimulates production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid 23 . During Influenza virus infection, level of Gal-1 was increased in lungs of infected mice, while Gal-1 knock-out mice were more prone to Influenza virus infection compared to wild-type group.…”