Human Galectins Induce Conversion of Dermal Fibroblasts into Myofibroblasts and Production of Extracellular Matrix: Potential Application in Tissue Engineering and Wound Repair
2011
Abstract
We studied whether human galectins induce the conversion of human dermal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and the production of a bioactive extracellular matrix scaffold.Testing a panel of galectins (natural and engineered variants), we detected activity for the proto-type galectin-1 and galectin-7, the chimera-type galectin-3 and the tandemrepeat-type galectin-4. Their activity was independent of the presence of TGF-1, but it yielded an additive effect.
The resulting myofibroblasts generated a matrix scaffold rich in fibronectin and galectin-1 that supported keratinocyte culture without feeder cells. In vivo in rats, galectin-1 had a positive effect on skin wound closure 21 days after surgery.