Immunomodulatory Effects of Galectin-1 on an IgE-Mediated Allergic Conjunctivitis Model

Author(s)

Mello, Claudia Bosnic ^[1] ; Ramos, Lisandra ^[2] ; Gimenes, Alexandre Dantas ^[2] ; de Moraes Andrade, Teresa Raquel ^[2] ; Oliani, Sonia Maria ^[1] ; Gil, Cristiane Damas ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Dept Biol, Lab Imunomorfol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] UNIFESP Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Morfol & Genet, Histol Lab, BR-04023900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE; v. 56, n. 2, p. 693-704, FEB 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 15

Abstract

PURPOSE. Galectin (Gal)-1, a lectin found at sites of immune privilege with critical role in the inflammation, has been poorly investigated in the ocular inflammatory diseases. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of Gal-1 in ocular allergy using a model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AC. METHODS. OVA-immunized BALB/c male mice were challenged with eye drops containing OVA on days 14 through 16 with a subset of animals pretreated intraperitoneally with recombinant Gal-1 (rGal-1) or dexamethasone (Dex). RESULTS. Recombinant Gal-1 and Dex administration on days 14 through 16 was effective in reducing the clinical signs of allergic conjunctivitis (AC), plasma anti-OVA IgE levels, Th2 (IL-4 and IL-13), and eotaxin/RANTES levels in the lymph nodes. Four hours after the last OVA challenge, rGal-1 markedly increased Gal-1 endogenous levels in the conjunctiva, and provoked eosinophilia, which persisted at 24 hours. Recombinant Gal-1 had no effect on eosinophil activation, as evidenced by the similar pattern of peroxidase eosinophil expression between cells of rGal-1-treated and untreated AC groups. Conjunctival migrated eosinophils and neutrophils exhibited high levels of Gal-1 and b2-integrin, with points of colocalization, in the rGal-1-treated groups. These different effects observed for rGal-1 were correlated with elevated levels of activated ERK and p38 at 4 hours, and diminished levels of activated JNK and p38 at 24 hours in the eyes. CONCLUSIONS. Gal-1 has an important role in ocular allergic inflammation and represents a potential target for the development of new therapeutic strategies in eye diseases. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/21845-3 - Experimental model of allergic conjunctivitis: effect of pharmacological treatment with anti-inflammatory protein galectin-1
• Grantee: Cristiane Damas Gil
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants