Utilization of Galectins by Pathogens for Infection

Diyoly Ayona (1) , Pierre-Edouard Fournier (2) , Bernard Henrissat (3, 4) , Benoit Desnues (1)

1 MEPHI - Microbes évolution phylogénie et infections
2 VITROME - Vecteurs - Infections tropicales et méditerranéennes
3 AFMB - Architecture et fonction des macromolécules biologiques
4 King Abdulazziz University

Galectins are glycan-binding proteins which are expressed by many different cell types and secreted extracellularly. These molecules are well-known regulators of immune responses and involved in a broad range of cellular and pathophysiological functions. During infections, host galectins can either avoid or facilitate infections by interacting with host cells-and/or pathogen-derived glycoconjugates and less commonly, with proteins. Some pathogens also express self-produced galectins to interfere with host immune responses. This review summarizes pathogens which take advantage of host-or pathogen-produced galectins to establish the infection.

Keywords: galectin; infection; immune responses; bacteria; virus

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Microbiology and Parasitology; Bacteriology; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Microbiology and Parasitology; Virology; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Microbiology and Parasitology; Parasitology; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Human health and pathology; Cardiology and cardiovascular system; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Human health and pathology; Emerging diseases; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Human health and pathology; Infectious diseases

Diyoly Ayona, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Bernard Henrissat, Benoit Desnues. Utilization of Galectins by Pathogens for Infection. Frontiers in Immunology, 2020, 11, ⟨10.3389/fimmu.2020.01877⟩. ⟨hal-03142016⟩