Galectin‐9 ameliorates acute GVH disease through the induction of T‐cell apoptosis

K Sakai, E Kawata, E Ashihara… - European journal of …, 2011 - Wiley Online Library
K Sakai, E Kawata, E Ashihara, Y Nakagawa, A Yamauchi, H Yao, R Nagao, R Tanaka…
European journal of immunology, 2011Wiley Online Library
Galectins comprise a family of animal lectins that differ in their affinity for β‐galactosides.
Galectin‐9 (Gal‐9) is a tandem‐repeat‐type galectin that was recently shown to function as
a ligand for T‐cell immunoglobin domain and mucin domain‐3 (Tim‐3) expressed on
terminally differentiated CD4+ Th1 cells. Gal‐9 modulates immune reactions, including the
induction of apoptosis in Th1 cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of Gal‐9 in
murine models of acute GVH disease (aGVHD). First, we demonstrated that recombinant …
Abstract
Galectins comprise a family of animal lectins that differ in their affinity for β‐galactosides. Galectin‐9 (Gal‐9) is a tandem‐repeat‐type galectin that was recently shown to function as a ligand for T‐cell immunoglobin domain and mucin domain‐3 (Tim‐3) expressed on terminally differentiated CD4+ Th1 cells. Gal‐9 modulates immune reactions, including the induction of apoptosis in Th1 cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of Gal‐9 in murine models of acute GVH disease (aGVHD). First, we demonstrated that recombinant human Gal‐9 inhibit MLR in a dose‐dependent manner, involving both Ca2+ influx and apoptosis in T cells. Next, we revealed that recombinant human Gal‐9 significantly inhibit the progression of aGVHD in murine BM transplantation models. In conclusion, Gal‐9 ameliorates aGVHD, possibly by inducing T‐cell apoptosis, suggesting that gal‐9 may be an attractive candidate for the treatment of aGVHD.
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