Duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes of children with cow milk allergy preferentially bind the glycan-binding protein galectin-3

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009 Jan-Mar;22(1):207-17. doi: 10.1177/039463200902200123.

Abstract

A breakdown in intestinal homeostasis results in inflammatory bowel diseases including coeliac disease and allergy. Galectins, evolutionarily conserved beta-galactoside-binding proteins, can modulate immune-epithelial cell interactions by influencing immune cell fate and cytokine secretion. In this study we investigated the glycosylation signature, as well as the regulated expression of galectin-1 and -3 in human duodenal samples of allergic and non-allergic children. Whereas galectin-1 was predominantly localized in the epithelial compartment (epithelial cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes) and the underlying lamina propria (T cells, macrophages and plasma cells), galectin-3 was mainly expressed by crypt epithelial cells and macrophages in the lamina propria. Remarkably, expression of these galectins was not significantly altered in allergic versus non-allergic patients. Investigation of the glycophenotype of the duodenal inflammatory microenvironment revealed substantial alpha2-6-linked sialic acid bound to galactose in lamina propria plasma cells, macrophages and intraepithelial lymphocytes and significant levels of asialo core 1 O-glycans in CD68+ macrophages and enterocytes. Galectin-1 preferentially bound to neutrophils, plasma cells and enterocytes, while galectin-3 binding sites were mainly distributed on macrophages and intraepithelial lymphocytes. Notably, galectin-3, but not galectin-1 binding, was substantially increased in intraepithelial gut lymphocytes of allergic patients compared to non-allergic subjects, suggesting a potential role of galectin-3-glycan interactions in shaping epithelial-immune cell connections during allergic inflammatory processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Child, Preschool
  • Duodenum / chemistry
  • Duodenum / immunology*
  • Female
  • Galectin 1 / analysis
  • Galectin 1 / metabolism
  • Galectin 3 / analysis
  • Galectin 3 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Milk Hypersensitivity / etiology
  • Milk Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Peanut Agglutinin / metabolism
  • Plant Lectins / metabolism
  • Ribosome Inactivating Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Galectin 1
  • Galectin 3
  • LGALS1 protein, human
  • Peanut Agglutinin
  • Plant Lectins
  • Sambucus nigra lectins
  • Ribosome Inactivating Proteins