Zuñiga E, Rabinovich G A, Iglesias M M, Gruppi A
Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Argentina.
J Leukoc Biol. 2001 Jul;70(1):73-9.
Galectin-1 (GAL-1), a highly conserved beta-galactoside-binding protein, has shown immunomodulatory properties. In this study, we investigated the regulation of GAL-1 expression within the B-cell compartment using Trypanosoma cruzi infection as a natural model of in vivo B-cell activation. GAL-1 was found to be expressed on activated B cells from T. cruzi-infected mice, mainly localized at the cytosolic compartment. Expression of this protein was found to be modulated according to the activation state of the cells, revealing a significant increase in stimulated B cells that received signals via cross-linking of the B-cell receptor and CD40. It was found that GAL-1 was secreted by B cells to the extracellular milieu upon activation. Finally, purified GAL-1 produced by activated B cells induced apoptosis of T cells but not B cells and also influenced interferon-gamma cytokine production. Hence, the present study describes a potential mechanism by which B cells can regulate T-cell function and survival.
半乳糖凝集素-1（GAL-1）是一种高度保守的β-半乳糖苷结合蛋白，已显示出免疫调节特性。在本研究中，我们以克氏锥虫感染作为体内B细胞激活的天然模型，研究了B细胞区内GAL-1表达的调控。发现GAL-1在克氏锥虫感染小鼠的活化B细胞上表达，主要定位于胞质区室。发现该蛋白的表达根据细胞的活化状态进行调节，显示通过B细胞受体和CD40交联接收信号的刺激B细胞中显著增加。发现GAL-1在活化时由B细胞分泌到细胞外环境中。最后，活化B细胞产生的纯化GAL-1诱导T细胞凋亡，但不诱导B细胞凋亡，并且还影响干扰素-γ细胞因子的产生。因此，本研究描述了一种B细胞可以调节T细胞功能和存活的潜在机制。
