Altered expression of genes related to innate antifungal immunity in the absence of galectin-3

• Main Authors: Caroline Patini Rezende, Patricia Kellen Martins Oliveira Brito, Andre Moreira Pessoni, Thiago Aparecido Da Silva, Gustavo H Goldman, Fausto Almeida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2021-01-01
• Series: Virulence
• Subjects: galectin-3; gene knockout; innate immune response; antifungal immunity; gene expression
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2021.1903212
• ISSN: 2150-5594; 2150-5608

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.