GALECTIN-1 INDUCES MITOCHONDRIAL APOPTOTIC PATHWAY IN CD4+ T-CELLS

Introduction. Galectin-1 binds to cell surface glycoprotein and participates in cooperation of immune cells. It is supposed that the CD4+- lymphocytes can be target for immunosuppressive activity of galectin-1. However, there is no sufficient information about effect of the protein on the proliferation, differentiation, functional activity and apoptosis of CD4+-lymphocytes. The aim of the study. To investigate the influence of galectin-1 on apoptosis of CD4+-lymphocytes in vitro. Methods. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from healthy volunteers, activated with antibodies to CD3 and CD28 and cultured with recombinant galectin-1. Apoptosis of CD4+-lymphocytes, depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential and the level of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were assessed. Results. When galectin-1 was added in the concentration of 2.5 mkg/ml it led to an increase of the percentage of annexin+7AAD+ cells. The depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, reduction of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl- 2 level and the increase in pro-apoptotic protein Bax level were observed. Conclusion. For the first time it was shown that galectin-1 induces apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway in activated CD4+- lymphocytes.