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Galectin-9 in physiological and pathological conditions.

Mitsuomi Hirashima·Yumiko Kashio·Nozomu Nishi·Akira Yamauchi·Tada-atsu Imaizumi·Toshiro Kageshita·Naoki Saita·Takanori Nakamura
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Abstract

We first cloned galectin-9 (Gal-9)/ecalectin as a T cell-derived eosinophil chemoattractant. Gal-9 plays a role in not only accumulation but also activation of eosinophils in experimental allergic models and human allergic patients, because Gal-9 induces eosinophil chemoattraction in vitro and in vivo and activates eosinophils in many aspects. Gal-9 requires divalent galactoside-binding activity but not the linker peptide of Gal-9 to exhibit its biological functions, and an unidentified matrix metalloproteinase is involved in the release of Gal-9. Our recent studies also showed that Gal-9 has other functions, such as cell differentiation, aggregation, adhesion, and death. Now, we and other groups are on the way of investigating the regulation and function of Gal-9 in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions. In this article, we will show the possible role of Gal-9 in physiological and pathological conditions by using our recent findings.

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ApoptosisCell Physiological PhenomenaEosinophilsGalectinsHumansNeoplasmsJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tReview

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Mitsuomi Hirashima, Yumiko Kashio, Nozomu Nishi, Akira Yamauchi, Tada-atsu Imaizumi, Toshiro Kageshita, Naoki Saita, Takanori Nakamura. 2002. Galectin-9 in physiological and pathological conditions.. https://doi.org/10.1023/b%3Aglyc.0000014090.63206.2f

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