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Galectin-1 promotes an M2 macrophage response to polydioxanone scaffolds
Daniel Abebayehu1,2, Andrew Spence1, Barbara D Boyan2,3
1Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
|May 26, 2017
Summary
Incorporating galectin-1 into polydioxanone (PDO) scaffolds shifts macrophages toward a pro-regenerative M2 phenotype. This finding is crucial for enhancing soft tissue repair and regeneration, particularly with small-diameter scaffolds.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Immunology
Background:
- Soft tissue repair and regeneration are critical processes influenced by the local microenvironment.
- Macrophages are key immune cells that can be directed towards pro-regenerative (M2) or pro-inflammatory (M1) phenotypes.
- Existing biomaterials, such as electrospun polydioxanone (PDO) scaffolds, show differential effects on macrophage polarization based on fiber diameter.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of incorporating galectin-1 into PDO scaffolds to promote a pro-regenerative M2 macrophage phenotype.
- To determine if galectin-1 can overcome the M1-skewing effect of small-diameter PDO fibers.
- To elucidate the signaling pathways involved in galectin-1's immunomodulatory effects.
Main Methods:
- Electrospinning of polydioxanone (PDO) scaffolds with and without galectin-1, in both large and small fiber diameters.
- Culture of mouse bone-marrow derived macrophages on these scaffolds.
- Assessment of macrophage phenotype markers, including arginase-1 (M2), iNOS (M1), and IL-6.
- Pharmacological inhibition of the ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.
Main Results:
- Galectin-1 incorporation into both large and small diameter PDO scaffolds increased arginase-1 expression and decreased iNOS and IL-6 production in macrophages.
- These effects were observed compared to macrophages cultured on PDO scaffolds alone.
- Inhibition of ERK signaling reversed the suppression of IL-6 by galectin-1, suggesting a distinct pathway for IL-6 regulation.
Conclusions:
- Galectin-1 effectively modulates macrophage polarization towards an M2 phenotype, irrespective of scaffold fiber diameter.
- This immunomodulatory capacity of galectin-1 holds promise for enhancing soft tissue regeneration, especially when using small-diameter PDO scaffolds.
- The findings suggest that galectin-1 can be a valuable tool in designing biomaterials for improved tissue repair outcomes.
