We investigated how selective inhibition of galectin-1 and galectin-3 expressed by COLO 201 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells modulates CD4+ T lymphocyte differentiation in vitro. The mRNA expression levels of the transcription factors T-bet (TBX21), RORC2, and Foxp3 were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from colorectal cancer patients and healthy donors following co-culture with COLO 201 cells in the presence of galectin-1 inhibitor OTX 008, galectin-3 inhibitor GB1107, or both. Inhibition of galectin-1 in co-cultures increased TBX21 and RORC2 mRNA expression while suppressing FOXP3 in PBMCs from both groups. In patient-derived PBMCs, galectin-3 inhibition produced a similar effect. Conversely, in healthy donor cells, galectin-3 blockade suppressed RORC2 and induced FOXP3 expression. Notably, the most pronounced downregulation of FOXP3 was achieved by simultaneously inhibiting both galectins.
Poletika et al. (Tue,) studied this question.