Galectin-1 Cooperates with Yersinia Outer Protein (Yop) P to Thwart Protective Immunity by Repressing Nitric Oxide Production.

(Ye) inserts outer proteins (Yops) into cytoplasm to infect host cells. However, in spite of considerable progress, the mechanisms implicated in this process, including the association of Yops with host proteins, remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the functional role of Galectin-1 (Gal1), an endogenous β-galactoside-binding protein, in modulating Yop interactions with host cells.

Galectin-1 Facilitates Macrophage Reprogramming and Resolution of Inflammation Through IFN-β.

During the resolution of acute inflammation, macrophages undergo reprogramming from pro-inflammatory, to anti-inflammatory/reparative, and eventually to pro-resolving macrophages. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is a pro-resolving lectin while interferon β (IFN-β) was recently shown to facilitate macrophage reprogramming and resolution of inflammation. In this study, we found Gal-1 mice exhibit a hyperinflammatory phenotype during the resolution of zymosan A-induced peritonitis but not during the early inflammatory response.

Efficient plasmid-mediated gene transfection of ovine bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells.

Background Aims: Given the close similarity between ovine and human cardiomyocytes, sheep models of myocardial infarction and heart failure are increasingly used in studies of stem cell-mediated heart regeneration. In these studies, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are frequently employed. To enhance the paracrine effects of these MSCs, ex vivo transfection with genes encoding growth factors has been proposed.