Galectins and lymphatic filariasis : exploring the role of Brugia malayi galectins in parasite persistence

Abstract

Galectins have been identified by proteomic profiling as abundantly produced excretory-secretory (ES) products of the lymphatic dwelling parasite, Brugia malayi. Galectins as soluble mediators have the potential to interact at a molecular level and down-regulate the host\u27s immune machinery. Therefore galectins are a promising target for rational drug design against parasite persistence. Human galectins have roles in immunity, tumorigenesis, inflammation, embryogenesis and development. The highly conserved nature of galectins across diverse multicellular organisms and their bewildering functions in humans have led to speculations on the potential role of helminth galectins in parasite persistence. The current work involves bioinformatic analysis of galectin genes for gene-specific primer design, comparison with human galectin amino-acid sequences and conventional PCR to determine the differential expression of six Brugia malayi galectin genes across its life cycle