Galectin-2 Has Bactericidal Effects against Helicobacter pylori in a β-galactoside-Dependent Manner

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2020-04, Vol.21 (8), p.2697
• Main Authors: Sasaki, Takaharu, Saito, Rei, Oyama, Midori, Takeuchi, Tomoharu, Tanaka, Toru, Natsume, Hideshi, Tamura, Mayumi, Arata, Yoichiro, Hatanaka, Tomomi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens; Bacteria; bactericidal effect; Cell adhesion & migration; Drug therapy; Galactosides; Galactosides - pharmacology; Galectin 2 - pharmacology; galectin-2; Gastric cancer; Gastritis; Gastrointestinal system; Gastrointestinal tract; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Helicobacter pylori - drug effects; Helicobacter pylori - growth & development; Humans; immunoreaction; Innate immunity; Lactose; Male; Mice; Mucosa; Mucus; Pathogens; Peptic ulcers; Proteins; Recombinant Proteins - pharmacology; Ulcers
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082697

is associated with the onset of gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Galectins are a family of β-galactoside-binding proteins involved in diverse biological phenomena. Galectin-2 (Gal-2), a member of the galectin family, is predominantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. Although some galectin family proteins are involved in immunoreaction, the role of Gal-2 against infection remains unclear. In this study, the effects of Gal-2 on morphology and survival were examined. Gal-2 induced aggregation depending on β-galactoside and demonstrated a bactericidal effect. Immunohistochemical staining of the gastric tissue indicated that Gal-2 existed in the gastric mucus, as well as mucosa. These results suggested that Gal-2 plays a role in innate immunity against infection in gastric mucus.