engleski

Combating inflammation: immunomodulatory drugs and galectins

Galectin-1 and galectin-3, β -galactoside binding lectins, are involved in regulation of inflammation by affecting cell proliferation and differentiation, adhesion, cell activation and apoptosis. While galectin-1 mainly acts as an anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic molecule, galectin-3 is known as a strong pro-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic 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. We have also tested the effects of these drugs on both galectins in the cells activated by lipopolysaccharide from E. coli (LPS). The targeted mRNA level was evaluated using quantitative RT-PCR technique and the expression of both galectins 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 and -3 expressions 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 and-3 expressions, as well as the role of these lectins in the physiology of monocytes.

inflammation; immunomodulatory drugs; galectins

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