Galectin-1 regulates neurogenesis in the subventricular zone and promotes functional recovery after stroke.

Abstract

Galectin-1 (Gal-1) has recently been identified as a key molecule that plays important roles in the regulation of neural progenitor cell proliferation in two neurogenic regions: the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle and the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. To test the hypothesis that Gal-1 contributes to adult neurogenesis after focal ischemia, we studied the temporal profile of endogenous Gal-1 expression and the effects of human recombinant Gal-1 on neurogenesis and neurological functions in an experimental focal ischemic model. In the normal brain, Gal-1 expression was observed only in the SVZ. In the ischemic brain, Gal-1 expression was markedly upregulated in the SVZ and the area of selective neuronal death around the infarct in the striatum. The temporal profile of Gal-1 expression was correlated with that of neural progenitor cell proliferation in the SVZ of the ischemic hemisphere. Double-labeling studies revealed that Gal-1 was localized predominantly in both reactive astrocytes and SVZ astrocytes. Administration of Gal-1, which is known to have carbohydrate-binding ability, into the lateral ventricle increased neurogenesis in the ipsilateral SVZ and improved sensorimotor dysfunction after focal ischemia. By contrast, blockade of Gal-1 in the SVZ by the administration of anti-Gal-1 neutralizing antibody strongly inhibited neurogenesis and diminished neurological function. These results suggest that Gal-1 is one of the principal regulators of adult SVZ neurogenesis through its carbohydrate-binding ability and provide evidence that Gal-1 protein has a role in the improvement of sensorimotor function after stroke.

• Authors: Satoru Ishibashi, Toshihiko Kuroiwa, Masanori Sakaguchi, Liyuan Sun, Toshihiko Kadoya, Hideyuki Okano, Hidehiro Mizusawa
• Journal: Experimental neurology (Exp Neurol) Vol. 207 Issue 2 Pg. 302-13 (Oct 2007) ISSN: 0014-4886 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17706645 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies
• Galectin 1
• Nerve Tissue Proteins
• Bromodeoxyuridine

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies (administration & dosage)
• Behavior, Animal
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Brain Infarction (etiology, pathology)
• Bromodeoxyuridine (metabolism)
• Cell Count (methods)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cerebral Ventricles (cytology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Functional Laterality
• Galectin 1 (administration & dosage, immunology, metabolism)
• Gerbillinae
• Male
• Maze Learning (drug effects)
• Motor Activity (drug effects)
• Nerve Tissue Proteins (metabolism)
• Neurons
• Psychomotor Performance (drug effects)
• Recovery of Function (drug effects)
• Stroke (complications, drug therapy, pathology)