Galectin-3 is a sensor-regulator of toll-like receptor pathways in synovial fibroblasts

Uri Arad*, Noa Madar-Balakirski, Avital Angel-Korman, Sharon Amir, Sharon Tzadok, Ortal Segal, Aharon Menachem, Aviram Gold, Ori Elkayam, Dan Caspi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside-binding lectin that plays an important role in the modulation of immune responses. It has been shown to aggravate joint inflammation and destruction in experimental arthritis. We investigated the role of galectin-3 in TLR-induced cell activation in human synovial fibroblasts (SF) in order to better understand the mechanism(s) of the proinflammatory function of galectin-3 in arthritis.Galectin-3 expression in SF obtained from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients was inhibited by siRNA mediated gene-knockdown. Galectin-3 was also inhibited with modified citrus pectin (MCP), a polysaccharide galectin-3 ligand. Galectin-3 knockdown inhibited TLR-2, -3 and -4-induced IL-6 secretion, but not TLR-2, -3 and -4-mediated matrix metalloproteinase-3 or CC chemokine ligand-5 secretion. When the SF were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a protein kinase C activator that bypasses the membranal receptors, galectin-3 knockdown no longer influenced IL-6 secretion. MCP reduced IL-6 levels in a dose-dependent manner.Our results indicate that galectin-3 is a positive sensor-regulator of TLR-induced IL-6 secretion in human synovial fibroblasts, thus adding new insights into the mechanisms by which galectin-3 augments synovial inflammation. These findings corroborate the potential role of glycan inhibitors of galectin-3 as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)30-35
Number of pages6
JournalCytokine
Volume73
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2015

Funding

FundersFunder number
Augusta Harris Research Fund in Arthritis from the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv Medical Center

    Keywords

    • Galectin-3
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Synovial fibroblasts
    • Synovitis
    • Toll-like receptors

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