Reduced expression of galectin-1 and galectin-9 by leucocytes in asthma patients

Abstract

SummaryAccumulating evidence shows that galectins play roles in the initiation and resolution phases of inflammatory responses by promoting anti-or proinflammatory effects. This study investigated the presence of three members of the galectin family (galectin-1, -3 and -9) in induced sputum samples of asthma patients, as well as their possible implication in the immunopathogenesis of human asthma. Levels of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-13, and galectins were determined in leucocytes isolated from induced sputum samples by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. High levels of IL-5 and IL-13 mRNA were detected in sputum cells from asthma patients. In parallel, immunoregulatory proteins galectin-1 and galectin-9 showed a reduced expression on macrophages from sputum samples compared with cells from healthy donors. In-vitro immunoassays showed that galectin-1 and galectin-9, but not galectin-3, are able to induce the production of IL-10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors. These findings indicate that macrophages from sputum samples of asthma patients express low levels of galectin-1 and galectin-9, favouring the exacerbated immune response observed in this disease.

Galectin-3: its role in asthma and potential as an anti-inflammatory target

“…While it is unknown if these kinds of experiments represent the function of endogenous Gal-3 these initially paradoxical effects (more AHR and less Th2 inflammation) can be explained in the context of an inflammatory phenotype, which displays the suppressed Th2 cytokines, and persistent AHR indicates a non-eosinophilic phenotype. Consistent with this, Gal-3 is present on sputum macrophages and neutrophils in asthma [39]. So far, studies of the level of Gal-3 in human asthma have not analyzed data by inflammatory phenotype.…”

Proteomics of bronchial biopsies: Galectin-3 as a predictive biomarker of airway remodelling modulation in omalizumab-treated severe asthma patients

“…Gal-3 gene therapy determines the inhibition of asthmatic reactions [34] and decreases airway remodelling in animals [35]. Also, SanchezCuellar et al [36] reported that galectins play roles in the resolution phase of inflammatory responses by promoting anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, OVA allergen-induced investigations in Gal-3 KO mice demonstrated that Gal-3 is involved in airway inflammation by influencing the development of profibrotic and angiogenic mediators [37].…”

Galectin-1: A Jack-of-All-Trades in the Resolution of Acute and Chronic Inflammation

“…The ability of Gal-1 to inhibit cell migration may not be restricted to eosinophils, because this lectin also inhibits lymphocyte trafficking in vitro and in vivo (118). Supporting the role for Gal-1 in the pathogenesis of asthma, macrophages from sputum samples of asthma patients expressed lower Gal-1 levels than those isolated from healthy donors (119). Interestingly, corticosteroids, the first-line and most effective treatment for asthma, induced a pronounced increase in Gal-1 expression in human nasal polyps, suggesting that glucocorticoids' action in asthmatic patients could be partially mediated through an increased synthesis of Gal-1 in the airways (120,121).…”