Untangling galectin-driven regulatory circuits in autoimmune inflammation

TOSCANO, MARTA A; MARTINEZ ALLO, VERONICA; CUTINE, ANABELA; RABINOVICH, GABRIEL A.; MARIÑO, KARINA VALERIA

TRENDS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2018

1471-4914

Although significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis and resolution of autoimmune inflammation, studies aimed at identifying critical mediators of these pathways are still necessary for developing more selective therapeutic modalities. Galectins, a family of glycan-binding proteins, play central roles in immune cell homeostasis. Whereas some members of this family trigger regulatory programs that promote resolution of inflammatory responses, others contribute to initiate and perpetuate autoimmune processes. In this review we discuss the roles of endogenous galectins and their specific glycosylated ligands in shaping autoimmune responses by fueling, extinguishing or re-wiring immune cell circuits. Understanding the relevance of galectin-glycan interactions in autoimmune inflammation could help uncover new pathways of tolerance breakdown, define possible molecular signatures for patient stratification and therapy responses and open new avenues for immune intervention.