Galectin-2 suppresses contact allergy by inducing apoptosis in activated CD8+ T cells

Loser K., Sturm A., Voskort M., Kupas V., Balkow S., Auriemma M., Sternemann C., Dignass A., Luger T., Beissert S.

Research article (journal) | Peer reviewed

Abstract

Galectins, a family of structurally related β-galactoside-binding proteins, are expressed by various cells of the immune systems and seem to be important for the regulation of immune responses and immune cell homeostasis. Since it has been demonstrated that galectin-2 regulates cell-mediated inflammatory bowel disease and colitis in mice, we intended to investigate the role of galectin-2 in inflammatory cutaneous T cell-mediated immune responses. To address this issue, groups of naive mice were sensitized to the contact allergen 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene and systemically treated with galectin-2 to analyze the effects of galectin-2 on contact allergy. Here we show that galectin-2 is expressed in murine skin and is upregulated upon cutaneous inflammation. Interestingly, treatment of mice with galectin-2 significantly reduced the contact allergy response. This effect was long-lasting since rechallenge of galectin-2-treated mice after a 14-day interval still resulted in a decreased ear swelling. We were able to demonstrate that galectin-2 induced a reduction of MHC class I-restricted immune responses in the treated animals, which was mediated by the induction of apoptosis specifically in activated CD8+ T cells. Additionally, we report that the galectin-2-binding protein CD29 is up-regulated on the surface of activated CD8+ T cells compared with naive CD8+ T cells or CD4+ T cells, suggesting that increased galectin-2/CD29 signaling might be responsible for the proapoptotic effects of galectin-2 on activated CD8+ T cells. Taken together, these data indicate that galectin-2 may represent a novel therapeutic alternative for the treatment of CD8-mediated inflammatory disorders such as contact allergy. Copyright © 2009 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Details about the publication

JournalThe Journal of Immunology (J Immunol)
Volume182
Issue9
Page range5419-5429
StatusPublished
Release year2009
Language in which the publication is writtenEnglish
DOI10.4049/jimmunol.0802308
Link to the full texthttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=66949153648&origin=inward

Authors from the University of Münster

Beissert, Stefan
Clinic for Dermatology
Kupas, Verena
Clinic for Dermatology
Loser, Karin
Clinic for Dermatology
Luger, Thomas
Clinic for Dermatology