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Anti-inflammatory effect of galectin-1 in a murine model of atopic dermatitis

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Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is caused by both dysregulated immune responses and an impaired skin barrier. Although beta-galactoside-binding protein galectin-1 (Gal-1) has immunomodulatory effects in several inflammatory disorders, therapeutic strategies based on its anti-inflammatory properties have not been explored in AD. Thus, we evaluate pharmacological treatment with Gal-1 in the progression of an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AD-like skin lesions. The skin of OVA-immunized male BALB/c mice was challenged with drops containing OVA on days 11, 14–18 and 21–24. Additionally, in the last week, a subset of animals was treated intraperitoneally with recombinant Gal-1 (rGal-1) or dexamethasone (Dex). Treatment with rGal-1 decreased the clinical signs of dermatitis in BALB/c mice and diminished local eotaxin and IFN-γ levels. The treatment also suppressed the infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells, which was verified by reduced expression of mouse mast cell protease 6 (mMCP6) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPX). These localized effects are associated with extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation and downregulation of endogenous Gal-1. The inhibition of disease progression induced by rGal-1 was also correlated with reduced plasma IL-17 levels. Our results demonstrate that rGal-1 is an effective treatment for allergic skin inflammation in AD and may impact the development of novel strategies for skin inflammatory diseases.

Key messages

  • Pharmacological treatment with rGal-1 reduces clinical signs of atopic dermatitis.

  • Systemic treatment with rGal-1 inhibits eosinophil and mast cell influx in the skin of AD animals.

  • rGal-1 reduced local eotaxin levels and systemic IL-17 levels.

  • The inhibition of disease progression induced by rGal-1 was correlated with upregulation of phosphorylated ERK.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP - 2015/09858-3). MP Correa was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Post-Graduation in Biosciences, UNESP - São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, 15054-000, Brazil

    Mab Pereira Corrêa & Cristiane Damas Gil

  2. Department of Morphology and Genetics, UNIFESP - Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 04023-900, Brazil

    Frans Eberth Costa Andrade, Alexandre Dantas Gimenes & Cristiane Damas Gil

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  1. Mab Pereira Corrêa
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  2. Frans Eberth Costa Andrade
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  3. Alexandre Dantas Gimenes
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  4. Cristiane Damas Gil
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Correspondence to Cristiane Damas Gil.

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Corrêa, M.P., Andrade, F.E.C., Gimenes, A.D. et al. Anti-inflammatory effect of galectin-1 in a murine model of atopic dermatitis. J Mol Med 95, 1005–1015 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-017-1566-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-017-1566-9

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