AUTHOR=Ayona Diyoly , Fournier Pierre-Edouard , Henrissat Bernard , Desnues Benoit 

TITLE=Utilization of Galectins by Pathogens for Infection

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.01877

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2020.01877

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Galectins are glycan-binding proteins which are expressed by many different cell types and secreted extracellularly. These molecules are well-known regulators of immune responses and involved in a broad range of cellular and pathophysiological functions. During infections, host galectins can either avoid or facilitate infections by interacting with host cells- and/or pathogen-derived glycoconjugates and less commonly, with proteins. Some pathogens also express self-produced galectins to interfere with host immune responses. This review summarizes pathogens which take advantage of host- or pathogen-produced galectins to establish the infection.</p>