Galectin-2 Has Bactericidal Effects against Helicobacter pylori in a β-galactoside-Dependent Manner
Takaharu Sasaki, Rei Saito, Midori Oyama, Tomoharu Takeuchi, Toru Tanaka, Hideshi Natsume, Mayumi Tamura, Yoichiro Arata, Tomomi Hatanaka
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is associated with the onset of gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Galectins are a family of β-galactoside-binding proteins involved in diverse biological phenomena. Galectin-2 (Gal-2), a member of the galectin family, is predominantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. Although some galectin family proteins are involved in immunoreaction, the role of Gal-2 against H. pylori infection remains unclear. In this study, the effects of Gal-2 on H. pylori morphology and survival were examined. Gal-2 induced H. pylori aggregation depending on β-galactoside and demonstrated a bactericidal effect. Immunohistochemical staining of the gastric tissue indicated that Gal-2 existed in the gastric mucus, as well as mucosa. These results suggested that Gal-2 plays a role in innate immunity against H. pylori infection in gastric mucus.