Simulating cellular galectin networks by mixing galectins in vitro reveals synergistic activity

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrep.2021.101116Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Galectins-1, -3, and -7 form heterodimers in solution.

  • Mixtures of galectins simulates galectin co-expression in situ.

  • Mixtures display synergistic activities in vitro.

  • Cell agglutination, apoptosis, proliferation, migration affected.

  • Findings are relevant for galectin functionality in vivo.

Abstract

Background

Even though members of the family of adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins are increasingly detected to be co-expressed, they are still being routinely tested separately. The recent discovery of heterodimer formation among galectins-1, -3, and -7 in mixtures prompts further study of their functional activities in mixtures.

Methods

Cell agglutination, galectin binding to cells, as well as effects on cell proliferation, onset of apoptosis and migration were determined in assays using various cell types and mixtures of galectins-1, -3, and -7.

Results

Evidence for a more than additive increases of experimental parameters was consistently obtained.

Conclusion

Testing galectins in mixtures simulates the situation of co-expression in situ and reveals unsuspected over-additive activities. This new insight is relevant for analyzing galectin functionality in (patho)physiological conditions.

Keywords

Adhesion
Agglutinin
Apoptosis
Lectin
Migration

Abbreviations

CRD
carbohydrate recognition domain
EC
endothelial cells
FITC
fluorescein isothiocyanate
Gal-1
galectin-1
Gal-3
galectin-3
Gal-7
galectin-7
MFI
mean fluorescence intensity
PS
phosphatidylserine
RBC
red blood cells

Cited by (0)

1

Current address for R.P.M. Dings: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St #771, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; [email protected].

2

Current address for S. Mikkelson: DiaSorin, Inc., 1951 Northwestern Ave., Stillwater, MN 55082, USA; [email protected].