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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
06:47
Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages
Published on: May 24, 2019
Galectin-8 induces apoptosis in the CD4(high)CD8(high) thymocyte subpopulation
María Virginia Tribulatti1, Juan Mucci, Valentina Cattaneo
1Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, CONICET-UNSAM, (B1650WAB) San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Glycobiology
|September 26, 2007
Summary
Mouse thymus expresses galectin-8, a gene involved in glycosylation. This lectin induces apoptosis in specific thymocyte populations, suggesting a role in T cell development and repertoire shaping.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Glycobiology
Background:
- Glycosylation plays a crucial role in immune cell development and function.
- Galectins are a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins implicated in various biological processes.
- The specific role of galectin-8 in thymocyte development is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of galectin-8 in the mouse thymus.
- To determine the impact of galectin-8 on different thymocyte populations.
- To elucidate the mechanism underlying galectin-8-mediated effects on thymocytes.
Main Methods:
- Microarray analysis to screen glycosylation-related genes.
- Reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and Western blotting to confirm gene and protein expression.
- Recombinant expression of galectin-8 splice variants.
- In vitro culture of thymocytes with galectin-8 and apoptosis assays.
- Inhibition studies using thiodigalactoside (TDG) and lactose.
Main Results:
- Galectin-8 is expressed in both thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells (TECs) in mice.
- Two splice variants of galectin-8 were identified in thymocytes.
- Recombinant galectin-8 induced apoptosis specifically in CD4highCD8high thymocytes.
- Apoptosis induction was dependent on galectin-8's carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs) and was inhibited by TDG and lactose.
Conclusions:
- Intrathymic expression of galectin-8 occurs in mice.
- Galectin-8 plays a functional role in thymocyte apoptosis.
- Galectin-8 may actively contribute to shaping the T cell repertoire during development.
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