Galectins are a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins with an affinity for beta-galactosides. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is differentially expressed by various normal and pathological tissues and appears to be functionally polyvalent, with a wide range of biological activity. The intracellular and extracellular activity of Gal-1 has been described. It preferentially binds Laminin, Fibronectin, Galectin-3BP/MAC-2BP, CD45, CD43, CD7, CD2, CD3, and ganglioside GM1. Galectin-1 modulates cell growth and proliferation, either positively or negatively, depending on the cell type and activation status. It controls cell survival by inducing apoptosis of activated T cells and immature thymocytes. It modulates cytokine secretion by inducing Th2 type cytokines and inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Galectin-1 can also modulate cell-cell as well as cell-matrix interactions and depending on the cell type and developmental stage, promote cell attachment or detachment. Galectin-1 has immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to suppress acute and chronic inflammation and autoimmunity.
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