Investigation of Galectins in Frozen Tissue and Mammalian Cell Culture Using Confocal Miccroscopy.

Galectins are multifunctional glycan-binding proteins present in various tissues that participate in multiple physiological and pathological processes and are considered as not only biomarkers of human diseases but also molecular targets for treating cancer and inflammatory illnesses in many organs. In the glycobiology field, it is crucial to determine the pattern of galectin expression and location in cells and tissues. Confocal microscopy is a powerful imaging technology that represents a unique approach to investigate the expression and location of biomolecules in various tissues and cells.

Novel Sterile Insect Technology Program Results in Suppression of a Field Mosquito Population and Subsequently to Reduced Incidence of Dengue.

Background: There is a steady rise in the global incidence of Aedes-borne arbovirus disease. It has become urgent to develop alternative solutions for mosquito vector control. We developed a new method of sterilization of male mosquitoes with the goal to suppress a local Aedes aegypti population and to prevent the spread of dengue.

Lack of galectin-3 modifies differentially Notch ligands in bone marrow and spleen stromal cells interfering with B cell differentiation.

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactoside binding protein that controls cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. In lymphoid organs, gal-3 inhibits B cell differentiation by mechanisms poorly understood. The B cell development is dependent on tissue organization and stromal cell signaling, including IL-7 and Notch pathways.

Larval application of sodium channel homologous dsRNA restores pyrethroid insecticide susceptibility in a resistant adult mosquito population.

Background: Mosquitoes host and pass on to humans a variety of disease-causing pathogens such as infectious viruses and other parasitic microorganisms. The emergence and spread of insecticide resistance is threatening the effectiveness of current control measures for common mosquito vector borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue and Zika. Therefore, the emerging resistance to the widely used pyrethroid insecticides is an alarming problem for public health.

IL10, TGF beta1, and IFN gamma modulate intracellular signaling pathways and cytokine production to control Toxoplasma gondii infection in BeWo trophoblast cells.

Considering that interleukin 10 (IL10), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFB1), and interferon gamma (IFNG) are involved in the susceptibility of BeWo trophoblast cells to Toxoplasma gondii infection, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effector mechanisms triggered by these cytokines in the control of T. gondii in BeWo cells. For this purpose, infected/uninfected BeWo cells were treated with IL10, TGFB1 (50 ng/ml), and IFNG (20 or 100 ng/ml) in order to verify the phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1), STAT3, and Smad2, parasite intracellular proliferation, as well as the Th1/Th2/IL17A cytokine production.

Galectin-1 exerts inhibitory effects during DENV-1 infection.

Dengue virus (DENV) is an enveloped RNA virus that is mosquito-transmitted and can infect a variety of immune and non-immune cells. Response to infection ranges from asymptomatic disease to a severe disorder known as dengue hemorrhagic fever. Despite efforts to control the disease, there are no effective treatments or vaccines.

Examination of galectin localization using confocal microscopy.

Confocal microscopy provides a unique modality to examine the expression and localization of biomolecules in a variety of settings. Using this technique, an image is acquired from the focal plane of the objective using focused laser light, making it possible to work within the resolution limit of the optical system. In addition, by acquiring multiple images from a variety of focal planes, stacked series of images can provide clear spatial localization of a probed structure or protein.

LPS-induced galectin-3 oligomerization results in enhancement of neutrophil activation.

Galectin-3 (Gal 3) is a glycan-binding protein that can be secreted by activated macrophages and mast cells at inflammation sites and plays an important role in inflammatory diseases caused by Bacteria and their products, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Although it is well established that Gal 3 can interact with LPS, the pathophysiological importance of LPS/Gal 3 interactions is not fully understood. Data presented herein demonstrate for the first time that the interaction of Gal 3, either via its carbohydrate binding C-terminal domain or via its N-terminal part, with LPS from different bacterial strains, enhances the LPS-mediated neutrophil activation in vitro.

Effect of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in human placental explants infected with Toxoplasma gondii depends on gestational age.

Because macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key cytokine in pregnancy and has a role in inflammatory response and pathogen defense, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of MIF in first- and third-trimester human placental explants infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Explants were treated with recombinant MIF, IL-12, interferon-γ, transforming growth factor-β1, or IL-10, followed by infection with T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites.

Lack of galectin-3 drives response to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis toward a Th2-biased immunity.

There is recent evidence that galectin-3 participates in immunity to infections, mostly by tuning cytokine production. We studied the balance of Th1/Th2 responses to P. brasiliensis experimental infection in the absence of galectin-3.