The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of galectin-3, one of beta-galactoside-binding proteins, in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE) model of Lewis rats or non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Western blot analysis showed that...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of galectin-3, one of beta-galactoside-binding proteins, in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE) model of Lewis rats or non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Western blot analysis showed that galectin-3 was weakly expressed in the spinal cords of complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA) immunized control rats. In EAE, however, galectin-3 expression was significantly increased at the peak stage(days 14 post-immunization), while it was decreased slightly at the recovery stage(day 21 post-immunization). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that galectin-3 was detected in some macrophages in demyelinating lesions of NOD mice, while galectin-3 was immunoreacted in some inflammatory cells in the perivascular cuffing in rat EAE lesions. Collectively, it is postulated that the expression of galectin-3 is significantly increased in response to neuroimmunological stimulation in the central nervous system, whereas it is weak in normal rats and mice.