Toll-Like Receptor Agonists Modulate Galectin Gene Expression in Goat Blood

Pathogenesis and lack of effective therapeutics pose a threat to animal and public health. Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) by Toll-like receptors is associated with gene activation. Galectins are sugar-binding proteins that play a role in pathogen-recognition and immune modulation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different TLR agonists on galectin gene expression and secretion in goat blood. Blood was collected from the jugular vein of BoerXSpanish goats (n=3). Blood was treated with 10 µg/ml Lipopolysaccharide, Peptidoglycan, 12.5 µg/ml of Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, 10 µg/ml CpG ODN (2216) and 10 µg/ml CpG ODN (2006) or PBS control. Secretion of galectin-1, -3 and -9 was measured by ELISA. Expression of LGALS-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, -8, -9, -11, -12, -14, -15, -16 was assessed using real-time PCR. Beta-actin and GAPDH served as controls. Fold change in gene expression was calculated using the 2−ΔΔCt method. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 statistical analysis software (p < 0.05). Expression and secretion galectins was modulated by different PAMPS (p < 0.05) and may have implications for design of therapeutics based on TLR agonists.