Galectin-1 and -9 in angiogenesis: A sweet couple

Galectin-1 and -9 in angiogenesis: a sweet couple.

The growth of new blood vessels out of the pre-existing vasculature, i.e., angiogenesis, is executed by endothelial cells that normally form the inner lining of blood vessels. During angiogenesis, these cells exert different activities which require interactions with other cells and with the extracellular environment. It has become evident that this frequently involves galectins since the membe...

Getting too sweet: galectin-1 dysregulation in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Galectin-1 (gal-1) is a prototype carbohydrate-binding protein, whose dysregulation is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as spontaneous abortion and pre-eclampsia. Furthermore, it is known that faulty gal-1 protein production or gene regulation can be caused by single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the LGALS1 gene. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is also an adverse pregnancy outc...

VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 Involvement in Extracellular Galectin-1- and Galectin-3-Induced Angiogenesis

AIM Accumulating evidence suggests that extracellular galectin-1 and galectin-3 promote angiogenesis. Increased expression of galectin-1 and/or galectin-3 has been reported to be associated with tumour progression. Thus, it is critical to identify their influence on angiogenesis. METHODS We examined the individual and combined effects of galectin-1 and galectin-3 on endothelial cell (EC) grow...

A less sour sweet; blocking galectin.

"Time sweet time": circadian characterization of galectin-1 null mice

BACKGROUND Recent evidence suggests a two-way interaction between the immune and circadian systems. Circadian control of immune factors, as well as the effect of immunological variables on circadian rhythms, might be key elements in both physiological and pathological responses to the environment. Among these relevant factors, galectin-1 is a member of a family of evolutionarily-conserved glyca...