EXPANDING THE UNIVERSE OF CYTOKINES AND PATTERN RECOGNITION RECEPTORS: GALECTINS AND GLYCANS IN INNATE IMMUNITY

JUAN P. CERLIANI; SEAN STOWELL; IVAN D. MASCANFRONI; CONNIE ARTHUS; RICHARD CUMMINGS; GABRIEL RABINOVICH

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY

SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS

Lugar: CHICAGO; Año: 2011 vol. 31 p. 10 - 21

0271-9142

Effective immunity relies on the recognition of pathogens and tumors by innate immune cells through diverse pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) which lead to initiation of signalling processes and secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Galectins, a family of endogenous lectins widely expressed in infected and neoplastic tissues have emerged as part of the portfolio of soluble mediators and pattern recognition receptors responsible of eliciting and controlling innate immunity. These highly-conserved glycan-binding proteins can control immune cell processes through binding to specific glycan structures on pathogens and tumors or by acting intracellularly via modulation of selective signalling pathways. Recent findings demonstrate that various galectin family members influence the fate and physiology of different innate immune cells including polymorphonuclear neutrophils, mast cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. Moreover, several pathogens may actually utilize galectins as a mechanism of host invasion. In this review, we aim to highlight and integrate recent discoveries that have led to our current understanding of the role of galectins in host-pathogen interactions and innate immunity. Challenges for the future will embrace the rational manipulation of galectin-glycan interactions to instruct and shape innate immunity during microbial infections, inflammation and cancer.