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Galectin-1 is a homodimeric protein with potent anti-inflammatory properties due to its ability to induce apoptosis in thymocytes and T cells. The galectin-1 subunits are not covalently linked but the monomers are in a dynamic equilibrium with the dimeric form. Since the affinity of the monomers for each other is rather low (in the range of 10(-5)M), the in vivo efficacy of galectin-1 is limited because the equilibrium is shifted towards the inactive monomeric form at lower concentrations. In order to overcome this problem, we designed a covalently linked form of the dimer based on the galectin-1 crystal structure. Here we show that this irreversibly dimeric form of galectin-1 is a potent inducer of apoptosis in murine thymocytes as well as murine mature T cells at concentrations 10-fold lower than wild-type galectin-1. This structurally optimized form of galectin-1 may therefore be a potentially powerful tool to treat chronic inflammatory diseases.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.molimm.2004.02.004

Type

Journal article

Journal

Mol Immunol

Publication Date

05/2004

Volume

41

Pages

9 - 18

Keywords

Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Apoptosis, Cells, Cultured, Dimerization, Galectin 1, Hemagglutination Tests, Mice, Molecular Sequence Data, Spleen, T-Lymphocytes, Thymus Gland