Altered expression of genes related to innate antifungal immunity in the absence of galectin-3. Issue 1 (31st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rezende, Caroline Patini; Martins Oliveira Brito, Patricia Kellen; Pessoni, Andre Moreira; Da Silva, Thiago Aparecido; Goldman, Gustavo H; Almeida, Fausto
• Is Part Of: Virulence. Volume 12:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 981
• Page End: 988
• Publication Date: 2021-12-31
• Subjects: Galectin-3 -- gene knockout -- innate immune response -- antifungal immunity -- gene expression; Virulence (Microbiology) -- Periodicals; Bacterial diseases -- Periodicals; Molecular microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.05
• DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1903212
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2150-5608

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is the most studied member of the animal galectin family, which comprises β-galactoside-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 chitin-responsive pattern recognition receptors, signal transduction, inflammation, and phagocytosis. Our data thus suggest the importance of Gal-3 expression in the host innate immune system.