engleski

Immunomodulatory drugs affect galectin-1 expression

Galectin-1, a β -galactoside binding lectin, a well known regulator of T-cell homeostasis and survival, was recently shown to be also involved in control of monocyte/macrophage physiology. While galectin-1 mainly acts as an anti-inflammatory molecule, another member of galectin family, galectin-3 is known as a strong pro-inflammatory signal. We have recently recognized galectin-3 as a new molecular target of immunomodulatory drugs in monocyte/macrophage-like cells. In this study we investigated the effects of immunomodulatory drugs (aspirin, indomethacin, hydrocortisone and dexamethasone), applied in therapeutic ranges on the expression of galectin-1 at gene and protein level in monocytic THP-1 cells and the cells activated by lipopolysaccharide from E. coli (LPS). The targeted mRNA level was evaluated using quantitative RT-PCR technique and the expression of galectin-1 in cell homogenates was determined by western-immunoblot analysis. The results showed that immunomodulatory drugs affected the expression of galectin-1 on both, gene and protein level, and that the effects were dependent on drug type and applied concentration as well as time of the exposure. The modulatory effects of the applied drugs on galectin-1 expression were also observed in the cells activated by LPS. These findings represent important step in the understanding of the effects of immunomodulatory drugs on galectin-1 expression, as well as the role of this lectin in the physiology of monocytes.

galectin-1; immunomodulatory drugs

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