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The Role of Galectin-3/MAC-2 in the Activation of the Innate-Immune Function of Phagocytosis in Microglia in Injury and Disease

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Abstract

Microglia are a self-sustained population of immune/myeloid cells present throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia are in a “resting” state in the normal adult CNS. They turn “active” in injury and disease (e.g., trauma, neurodegeneration, and infection). Activated microglia can be beneficial as well as detrimental/neurotoxic. The innate-immune function of phagocytosis of tissue debris, neurotoxic factor, and pathogens is a beneficial function of microglia. The current manuscript reviews the role of Galectin-3 (known also as MAC-2; Galectin-3/MAC-2) in the activation of the phagocytosis of degenerated myelin that is mediated by complement receptor-3 (known also as MAC-1; CD11b/CD18; αMβ2 integrin) and SRA (scavenger receptor-AI/II). Observations suggest that Galectin-3/MAC-2 may act as a molecular switch that activates phagocytosis by up-regulating and prolonging KRas-GTP-dependent PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) activity. A similar mechanism may regulate the phagocytosis of other tissue debris, neurotoxic factors and pathogens in neurodegenerative and infectious diseases.

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Acknowledgments

Studies related to the involvement of Galecrin-3/MAC-2 in the signaling of myelin phagocytosis were supported by the Israel Science Foundation (grant No. 11/06 to S. Rotshenker).

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  1. Department of Medical Neurobiology, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School and the Eric Roland Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, P.O.B. 12272, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel

    Shlomo Rotshenker

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  1. Shlomo Rotshenker
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Correspondence to Shlomo Rotshenker.

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Rotshenker, S. The Role of Galectin-3/MAC-2 in the Activation of the Innate-Immune Function of Phagocytosis in Microglia in Injury and Disease. J Mol Neurosci 39, 99–103 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-009-9186-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-009-9186-7

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