Innate immunity against molecular mimicry: Examining galectin‐mediated antimicrobial activity. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arthur, Connie M.; Patel, Seema R.; Mener, Amanda; Kamili, Nourine A.; Fasano, Ross M.; Meyer, Erin; Winkler, Annie M.; Sola‐Visner, Martha; Josephson, Cassandra D.; Stowell, Sean R.
• Is Part Of: BioEssays. Volume 37:Number 12(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1327
• Page End: 1337
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: adaptive immunity -- carbohydrates -- galectins -- innate immunity -- lectins -- microbes; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1002/bies.201500055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-9247

Abstract

Abstract : Adaptive immunity provides the unique ability to respond to a nearly infinite range of antigenic determinants. Given the inherent plasticity of the adaptive immune system, a series of tolerance mechanisms exist to reduce reactivity toward self. While this reduces the probability of autoimmunity, it also creates an important gap in adaptive immunity: the ability to recognize microbes that look like self. As a variety of microbes decorate themselves in self‐like carbohydrate antigens and tolerance reduces the ability of adaptive immunity to react with self‐like structures, protection against molecular mimicry likely resides within the innate arm of immunity. In this review, we will explore the potential consequences of microbial molecular mimicry, including factors within innate immunity that appear to specifically target microbes expressing self‐like antigens, and therefore provide protection against molecular mimicry. Abstract : Galectins, innate immune lectins expressed at key interfaces of host‐microbial interactions, appear to specifically target microbes that decorate themselves in self‐like antigens. As immunological tolerance limits the ability of adaptive immunity to target molecules that look like self, these innate immune factors appear to fill an important gap in adaptive immunity, and therefore project individuals against microbes that utilize molecular mimicry.