The role of Galectin-1 and Galectin-3 in the mucosal immune response to <i>Citrobacter rodentium</i> infection

Abstract

Despite their abundance at gastrointestinal sites, little is known about the role of galectins in gut immune responses. We have therefore investigated the <i>Citrobacter rodentium</i> model of colonic infection and inflammation in Galectin-1 or Galectin- 3 null mice. Gal-3 null mice showed a slight delay in colonisation after inoculation with <i>C. rodentium</i> and a slight delay in resolution of infection, associated with delayed T cell, macrophage and dendritic cell infiltration into the gut mucosa. However, Gal-1 null mice also demonstrated reduced T cell and macrophage responses to infection. Despite the reduced T cell and macrophage response in Gal-1 null mice, there was no effect on <i>C. rodentium</i> infection kinetics and pathology. Overall, Gal-1 and Gal-3 play only a minor role in immunity to a gut bacterial pathogen.