Glycomedicine

Galectins and autoimmunity

Our findings have demonstrated that Galectin-1, by binding to specific glycans on the cell surface, has anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic activities of T lymphocytes. While TH1- and TH-17 type lymphocytes express the glycan repertoire that are critical for Gal-1 binding and subsequent promotion of apoptosis, TH2 cells are protected from Gal-1 binding through differential sialylation of surface glycoproteins. These mechanisms determine that mice that are deficient in Gal-1 develop increased TH1- and TH17 responses and have a greater susceptibility to autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or uveitis. Our findings have identified a novel molecular link between differential glycosylation of T helper cells, susceptibility to cell death, and inhibition of the inflammatory response. This crucial discovery may serve to identify a new treatment for autoimmune diseases; whose cure is still a debt to society.