Role of Galectin-3 in Mast Cell Functions: Galectin-3-deficient Mast Cells Exhibit Impaired Mediator Release and Defective Jnk Expression.
From: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
- Publish Date: Oct 2006
- ISSN: 0022-1767
- Volume: 177
- Issue: 8
- Pages: 4991-7
- Medium: Print
- Language: English
- Citation (JAMA): Chen Huan-Yuan, Sharma Bhavya B, Yu Lan, et al. Role of Galectin-3 in Mast Cell Functions: Galectin-3-deficient Mast Cells Exhibit Impaired Mediator Release and Defective Jnk Expression.. J. Immunol. Oct 2006;177:4991-7
Abstract
Galectin-3 is a member of the beta-galactoside-binding animal lectin family expressed in various cell types, including mast cells. To determine the role of galectin-3 in the function of mast cells, we studied bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) from wild-type (gal3(+/+)) and galectin-3-deficient (gal3(-/-)) mice. Cells from the two genotypes showed comparable expression of IgE receptor and c-Kit. However, upon activation by FcepsilonRI cross-linkage, gal3(-/-) BMMC secreted a significantly lower amount of histamine as well as the cytokine IL-4, compared with gal3(+/+) BMMC. In addition, we found significantly reduced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions in gal3(-/-) mice compared with gal3(+/+) mice. These results indicate that there is a defect in the response of mast cells in gal3(-/-) mice. Unexpectedly, we found that gal3(-/-) BMMC contained a dramatically lower basal level of JNK1 protein compared with gal3(+/+) BMMC, which is probably responsible for the lower IL-4 production. The decreased JNK1 level in gal3(-/-) BMMC is accompanied by a lower JNK1 mRNA level, suggesting that galectin-3 regulates the transcription of the JNK gene or processing of its RNA. All together, these results point to an important role of galectin-3 in mast cell biology.
Mesh Headings (Keywords): Anaphylaxis, Animals, Bone Marrow Cells, Galectin 3, Histamine, Interleukin-4, JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases, Mast Cells, Mice, Mice, Knockout, RNA, Messenger
Check for Full Text / PubMed Unique Identifier (PMID): 17015681
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