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Evaluation of the Bactericidal Activity of Galectins

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Galectins

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1207))

Abstract

Over a century ago, Karl Landsteiner discovered that blood group antigens could predict the immunological outcome of red blood cell transfusion. While the discovery of ABO(H) blood group antigens revolutionized transfusion medicine, many questions remain regarding the development and regulation of naturally occurring anti-blood group antibody formation. Early studies suggested that blood group antibodies develop following stimulation by bacteria that express blood group antigens. While this may explain the development of anti-blood group antibodies in blood group negative individuals, how blood group positive individuals, who cannot generate anti-blood group antibodies, protect themselves against blood group positive microbes remained unknown. Recent studies suggest that several members of the galectin family specifically target blood group positive microbes, thereby providing innate immune protection against blood group antigen positive microbes regardless of the blood group status of an individual. Importantly, subsequent studies suggest that this unique form of immunity may not be limited to blood group expressing microbes, but may reflect a more generalized form of innate immunity against molecular mimicry. As this form of antimicrobial activity represents a unique and unprecedented form of immunity, we will examine important considerations and methodological approaches that can be used when seeking to ascertain the potential antimicrobial activity of various members of the galectin family.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by grants from the National Blood Foundation, American Society of Hematology and Hemophilia of Georgia to S.R.S.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Connie M. Arthur

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Richard D. Cummings

  3. Center for Transfusion and Cellular Therapies, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, 7307 WMB, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Sean R. Stowell

Authors
  1. Connie M. Arthur
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  2. Richard D. Cummings
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  3. Sean R. Stowell
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sean R. Stowell .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Transfusion and Cellular Therapies, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Sean R. Stowell

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, Georgia, USA

    Richard D. Cummings

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Arthur, C.M., Cummings, R.D., Stowell, S.R. (2015). Evaluation of the Bactericidal Activity of Galectins. In: Stowell, S., Cummings, R. (eds) Galectins. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1207. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1396-1_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1396-1_27

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1395-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1396-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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