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Updated: Apr 27, 2026
13:56
A Comparative Approach to Characterize the Landscape of Host-Pathogen Protein-Protein Interactions
Published on: July 18, 2013
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Microbe-Host Interactions are Positively and Negatively Regulated by Galectin-Glycan Interactions
Linda G Baum1, Omai B Garner1, Katrin Schaefer1
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles , Los Angeles, CA , USA.
Frontiers in Immunology
|July 5, 2014
Summary
Host cell galectins bind microbial glycans, influencing pathogen attachment, invasion, and survival. This interaction modulates host responses to mitigate microbial pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Glycobiology
Background:
- Microbe-host interactions are complex, involving molecular signatures on microbes and host receptors.
- Cell surface glycans are key microbial signatures recognized by host cell lectins.
- Galectins are host cell lectins that bind microbial glycans on various pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how microbial glycan-galectin interactions regulate pathogen dynamics.
- To discuss the dual role of galectins in positively and negatively affecting pathogen invasion and survival.
- To explore galectin-mediated regulation of host responses against microbial pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on microbe-host interactions.
- Analysis of galectin family's role in recognizing microbial glycans.
- Examination of evidence for galectin-mediated regulation of pathogen attachment, invasion, and survival.
- Review of host immune responses influenced by galectin-glycan interactions.
Main Results:
- Galectin binding to microbial glycans impacts pathogen attachment and invasion.
- Galectins can both promote and inhibit pathogen survival.
- Host responses, including those mitigating pathogenesis, are regulated by these interactions.
Conclusions:
- Microbial glycan-galectin interactions are critical regulators of host-pathogen dynamics.
- Galectins represent a key host defense mechanism against microbial infections.
- Targeting galectin-glycan interactions may offer therapeutic strategies against pathogens.
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