半乳糖凝集素在神经退行性疾病中作用机制的研究进展

Glactins in neurodegenerative diseases:an update on potential mechanisms

半乳糖凝集素是一类β-半乳糖苷结合蛋白,可介导包括细胞间信号传导、细胞增殖和迁移、免疫反应等在内的多种生理和病理过程,越来越多的研究表明,半乳糖凝集素可作为中枢神经系统稳态和神经炎症的重要调节剂,通过参与内溶酶体受损修复、小胶质细胞激活、去唾液酸化作用等多种方式参与神经退行性疾病的发病,但其具体作用机制尚未明确。本文围绕半乳糖凝集素的结构和功能,总结了不同类型半乳糖凝集素在神经退行性疾病中的表达水平及作用机制,以期为神经退行性疾病的诊断及治疗提供新思路。

Galectins are a group ofβ-galactoside-binding proteins that mediate a variety of physiological and pathological processes,including intercellular signaling,cell proliferation and migration,immune response,etc.There is growing evidence that galectins may serve as potential modulators in homeostasis of the CNS and neu⁃roinflammation,participating pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases through repaire of damaged endolyso⁃some,microglial activation and desialylation,but the specific mechanism is still not clear.Here,we review the structure and function of galectins,then focus on the expression level and roles of them in several neurodegenera⁃tive diseases,promising to provide potential diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of neurodegenerative diseases.