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Galectin-3 plays an important role in protection against disseminated candidiasis

Jennifer R Linden1, Monique E De Paepe, Sonia S Laforce-Nesbitt

  • 1Graduate Program in Pathobiology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02905, USA.

Medical Mycology
|March 16, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Galectin-3 deficiency increases susceptibility to invasive Candida infections in mice. Lower galectin-3 levels in newborns may explain their higher risk for candidiasis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Galectin-3 is implicated in host recognition of Candida species in vitro.
  • The role of galectin-3 in protection against disseminated candidiasis in vivo remains unclear.
  • Neonates are uniquely susceptible to Candida infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of galectin-3 in host defense against systemic Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis infections in a murine model.
  • To compare serum galectin-3 levels in newborn infants and adults to assess potential links to neonatal susceptibility.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of survival rates, fungal burden, and abscess formation in galectin-3 deficient (gal3-/-) mice and wild-type (WT) mice infected with C. albicans or C. parapsilosis.
  • Measurement of serum galectin-3 levels in newborn infants and adults.

Main Results:

  • Gal3-/- mice exhibited increased susceptibility to disseminated candidiasis, with faster mortality and higher fungal burden/abscess formation compared to WT mice.
  • Gal3-/- mice showed significantly higher renal fungal burdens and abscess formation when infected with C. parapsilosis.
  • Newborn infants had significantly lower serum galectin-3 levels compared to adults.

Conclusions:

  • Galectin-3 plays a crucial role in the host defense against disseminated candidiasis in a murine model.
  • Lower galectin-3 levels in newborns may contribute to their increased susceptibility to Candida infections.
  • These findings suggest a potential mechanism underlying neonatal susceptibility to candidiasis.

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