Immunomodulatory effects of galectin-1 on an IgE-mediated allergic conjunctivitis model

• Published in: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2015-01, Vol.56 (2), p.693-704
• Main Authors: Mello, Claudia Bosnic, Ramos, Lisandra, Gimenes, Alexandre Dantas, Andrade, Teresa Raquel de Moraes, Oliani, Sonia Maria, Gil, Cristiane Damas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic - immunology; Blotting, Western; Chemokines - metabolism; Conjunctiva - drug effects; Conjunctiva - immunology; Conjunctiva - ultrastructure; Conjunctivitis, Allergic - drug therapy; Conjunctivitis, Allergic - immunology; Conjunctivitis, Allergic - metabolism; Disease Models, Animal; Galectin 1 - pharmacology; Immunity, Cellular; Immunoglobulin E - immunology; Immunohistochemistry; Immunomodulation - immunology; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microscopy, Electron; Recombinant Proteins; T-Lymphocytes - immunology
• ISSN: 0146-0404; 1552-5783
• DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-15100

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. 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). 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 β2-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. 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.