Journal Article Review Epublish
PubMed: 40806347 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26157216
A Narrative Review on the Multifaceted Roles of Galectins in Host-Pathogen Interactions During Helicobacter pylori Infection.
Int J Mol Sci 26(15)
Authors: Bojan Stojanovic, Natasa Zdravkovic, Marko Petrovic, Ivan Jovanovic, Bojana S Stojanovic, Milica Dimitrijevic Stojanovic, Jelena Nesic, Milan Paunovic, Ivana Milivojcevic Bevc, Nikola Mirkovic, Mladen Pavlovic, Nenad Zornic, Bojan Milosevic, Danijela Tasic-Uros, Jelena Zivic, Goran Colakovic, Aleksandar Cvetkovic
Affiliations
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia.
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia.
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia.
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia.
- City Medical Emergency Department, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori infection represents one of the most prevalent and persistent bacterial infections worldwide, closely linked to a spectrum of gastroduodenal diseases, including chronic gastritis, peptic ulceration, and gastric cancer. Recent advances have shed light on the critical role of endogenous lectins, particularly galectins, in modulating host-pathogen interactions within the gastric mucosa. Galectins are β-galactoside-binding proteins with highly conserved structures but diverse biological functions, ranging from regulation of innate and adaptive immunity to modulation of cell signaling, apoptosis, and epithelial integrity. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on the involvement of key galectin family members-especially Galectin-1, -2, -3, -8, and -9-in the context of H. pylori infection. Their dual roles in enhancing mucosal defense and facilitating bacterial persistence are examined along with their contributions to immune evasion, inflammation, and gastric carcinogenesis. Understanding the interplay between galectins and H. pylori enhances our knowledge of mucosal immunity. This interaction may also reveal potential biomarkers for disease progression and identify novel therapeutic targets. Modulating galectin-mediated pathways could improve outcomes in H. pylori-associated diseases.
MeSH
Helicobacter Pylori, Autophagy, Galectins, Helicobacter, Adaptive Immunity, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Immunity, Mucosal, Immunity, Immunity, Innate, Mucous Membrane, Infections, Lectins, Immune Evasion