Synergistic effects of galectin-1 and reactive astrocytes on functional recovery after contusive spinal cord injury.

Introduction: Galectin-1 (Gal-1), a carbohydrate-binding protein, is differentially expressed by various normal and pathological tissues and appears to be functionally polyvalent. Recent evidence indicates that Gal-1 is involved in the proliferation of adult neural progenitor cells in neurogenic regions during adulthood. However, localization and functional roles of Gal-1 in the adult spinal cord have not been clarified.