Increased Levels of Plasma Galectin-9 in Patients with Influenza Virus Infection

• DOI: 10.1620/tjem.232.263
• Publication Date: 2014-03-31T23:19:22Z
• Authors: Shigeki Katoh; Masaki Ikeda; Hiroki Shimizu; Keiji Mouri; Yasushi Obase; Yoshihiro Kobashi; Kiyoyasu Fukushima; Mistuomi Hirashima; Mikio Oka
• Keywords: Galectin

Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is a β-galactoside-binding protein involved in various biologic processes, including cell aggregation, adhesion, chemoattraction, and apoptosis. Little known, however, about the regulation mechanisms of Gal-9 production. Recent studies reported high plasma levels humans infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 dengue virus. Viral respiratory infections such as influenza are common illnesses. A synthetic double-stranded RNA, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PolyIC), mimics effects viruses types induces expression endothelial cells. To examine potential link between viral infection expression, we measured concentrations patients influenza. Subjects were 43 virus infection, 20 pneumococcal pneumonia, healthy adults. culture supernatants airway epithelial cells using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma higher than pneumonia subjects (p < 0.05). Patients effectively differentiated from those or subjects, based on 0.0001). Furthermore, line, showed that presence PolyIC but not lipopolysaccharides increased concentration medium 0.05), suggesting enhanced These findings support our proposal production induced by humans. In conclusion, could be new biomarker for infection.