Fantastic News From Argentina and the UK: Galectin-1 Might Be Your New Best Friend!
Well, well, well! If it isn’t those clever scientists from Argentina and the United Kingdom slipping us a cheeky piece of news about galectin-1 and its pivotal role in myelofibrosis. Honestly, folks, it’s like finding out that your lumpy, old sofa has been hiding a secret identity as a luxury sectional all along!
What’s This Myelofibrosis Thing, Anyway?
First off, let’s clarify what we’re talking about here: myelofibrosis is one of those fancy terms for a bone marrow disorder affecting around two people per 100,000 each year. So, if you’re a numbers person, that’s about as rare as finding a decent cup of tea in a cheap café. This condition causes the marrow to produce too many blood cells… kind of like that one friend who insists on talking when you’ve just settled in for a quiet evening. But instead of your evening being ruined, you might end up with some pretty serious health issues, such as leukemia.
Enter Galectin-1: Your New Protein Pal
Now, onto the star of our show – galectin-1. These researchers from Conicet and the University of Buenos Aires teamed up with the brainiacs at Oxford University to find that this protein is not only important for how your immune system operates but can be a valuable biomarker for diagnosing myeloproliferative neoplasms. It’s like discovering that your favourite snack is also packed with protein – life-changing!
A Protein with a Mission and Monoclonal Antibodies
And wait for it… the study points to the potential for a monoclonal antibody to treat these disorders. In the words of the greats, “Keep calm and make monoclonal antibodies!” But before we throw a party, these findings still need to strut their stuff in clinical trials. Because nothing says “I love science” like watching something you hope works go through a rigorous testing phase!
Dear Diary: Observations from the Research
Dr. Gabriel Rabinovich from Conicet mentioned that the team has been studying galectin-1 since 1994! That’s right – this research is as old as *Friends* on Netflix! They discovered that patients with myelofibrosis have higher galectin-1 levels. This kind of sounds like someone announcing they’ve got the latest phone, and everyone wants to know how to get it.
The Not-So-Fun Symptoms
Let’s not forget the not-so-glamorous side of myelofibrosis— there are symptoms like fatigue, abdominal pain, and an unnerving feeling that you’ve swallowed a soccer ball. Patients may also experience fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. It’s a cocktail of discomfort that no one signed up for!
Hope on the Horizon
So why should you care? This new research opens doors for potential treatments that could actually halt the progression of fibrosis – something our dear friend Dr. Ana Inés Varela is pretty excited about. She emphasizes how this research provides “a lot of hope.” And who doesn’t want a slice of that? So let’s raise a glass – or a lab flask – to advances in translational medicine and the power of international collaboration!
What’s Next?
The goal is to get those monoclonal antibodies into the clinical setting ASAP. After all, time and research wait for no one—unless you’re waiting for your Wi-Fi to connect, that is.
It’s clear that we haven’t cracked the code just yet, but researchers are hustling their socks off to make it happen. So, let’s keep our fingers crossed and keep an eye on those trials. Science and the flavor of life aren’t always predictable, but they are certainly entertaining!
Until next time, keep questioning, keep smiling, and remember: every protein has its story. Maybe galectin-1 will be making headlines soon… Stay tuned!
Scientists from Argentina and the United Kingdom discover the crucial role of galectin-1 in the progression of myelofibrosis, a bone marrow disorder (Freepik)
Two people per 100,000 inhabitants develop a disease each year. bone marrow diseasewhich causes too many blood cells of a specific type, such as red blood cells, platelets, or white blood cells. In some cases, the disorders, which are known as myeloproliferative neoplasmscan progress to more serious forms such as leukemia.
Scientists of the Conicet and the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires of Argentina and the Oxford Universityin the United Kingdom, managed to identify that a protein may be useful as a biomarker to help diagnose myeloproliferative neoplasms.
The protein is called galectina-1 and previous studies have shown that It has a determining role in many processes related to the functioning of the immune system. of the human body.
The new research went further: the scientists also managed to show that a antibody monoclonal could become a potential intervention for the treatment of those pathologies.
One of the scientists who participated in the research was Gabriel Rabinovich (photo), from Conicet and the UBA. Juan Manuel Pérez Sáez/Galtec/Conicet also collaborated
The research was published in the journal Science Translational Medicinefrom the magazine group American Association for the Advancement of Sciences. The results still need to be verified through clinical trials with human volunteers that evaluate efficacy and safety.
In dialogue with Infobaethe doctor Gabriel Rabinovichone of the co-authors from the Argentine side – who works at the Institute of Biology and Experimental Medicine (IBYME) from Conicet- told the details of the study.
“Several years ago, the group of researchers from Bethan Psaila y Adam Meadat the University of Oxford, contacted us to carry out a collaboration. They had studied and published on myeloproliferative neoplasms, such as mielofibrosis. It is known that there are three mutations that can be acquired during human life that are involved,” he said.
The scientists in the United Kingdom They were studying the genes and cells of patients with the disease compared to healthy people. There they found that patients with myelofibrosis had higher levels of the protein galectin-1.
Results in preclinical studies suggest that inhibiting galectin-1 could slow the progression of fibrosis in patients with myelofibrosis. Clinical trials must be done to prove it (Illustrative Image Infobae)
Therefore, they contacted the group of Rabinovichwhich has been unraveling different roles of that protein since 1994 and is developing therapeutic strategies for different cancers and autoimmune diseases.
Together, researchers from Argentina and the United Kingdom mapped the cross-talk between cell types in the bone marrow with mielofibrosis.
They observed that the inflammation and fibrosis produced by the condition are orchestrated by a “quartet” of different cell lineages and clarified how a signaling center is created that allows their interaction.
Beth Psaila is a scientist at the University of Oxford, who focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of disorders such as myelofibrosis. She was one of the leaders of the new research (Credit: University of Oxford)
In this context, they identified that galectin-1 protein may serve as a biomarker of progression to myelofibrosis in patients. Next, they tested the monoclonal antibody that Rabinovich and his team have been evaluating in preclinical trials.
In laboratory tests, with mice on the one hand and with human bone marrow organoids, they demonstrated that the use of the antibody can reduce the fibrosis caused by the disease. It does this by inhibiting the action of galectin-1.
Today, treatments are used that can reduce the symptoms of myelofibrosis and improve quality of life (Getty)
“Before this study, we already knew that the antibody can block blood vessels that encourage tumors to proliferate, among other effects. Now, after five years of research, We found that the antibody manages to reverse fibrosis in blood disorders. That is, the antibody has an antifibrotic effect depending on the system in mice and in organoids,” Rabinovich explained.
As part of the new research, he also collaborated Juan Manuel Pérez SáezConicet scientist, co-founder of biocompany Galtec together with Rabinovich, and one of those responsible for the development of the monoclonal antibody.
From the preclinical study, a path is opened to have a potential treatment that stops the progression of fibrosis in the disease (iStock)
In a statement, Dr. Psailahighlighted: “This discovery not only helps us better understand how myeloproliferative neoplasms progress, but also provides us with a new tool to predict and possibly prevent this progression.”
Psaila emphasized that the development of therapies targeting galectin-1 could change treatment and significantly improve patients’ quality of life.
“Our goal is to translate these findings to the clinical setting as soon as possible to benefit patients,” explained Dr. Mead.
In patients, the disease myelofibrosis causes extensive scarring or fibrosis of the bone marrow and prevents the production of blood elements. This leads to an increase in the size of the spleen, and the development of various symptoms.
A bone marrow biopsy showing dense expression of galectin-1 in myelofibrosis. The image was captured by the researchers / Credit: Professor Daniel Royston, University of Oxford.
The most common may include a persistent feeling of fatigue and weakness. Many also experience pain or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, which is caused by an enlarged spleen.
In addition, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss are common. Other symptoms may include easy bruising or bleeding, as well as bone or joint pain.
“Currently, there is a lack of tools to control the blood counts and avoid transfusions. “The available treatments can control symptoms and reduce the size of the spleen, but they do not prevent the progression of fibrosis in a sustained manner,” he told Infobae the doctor Ana Inés Varelahematology specialist and clinical researcher at Ramos Mejía Hospital from Buenos Aires and member of the Argentine Society of Hematology.
Pain in the abdomen, fatigue and weakness can be symptoms of people with myelofibrosis/File
“The results of the work published in the journal Science Translational Medicine They open a path to further research into myelofibrosis,” he stated.
This is preclinical research “but it undoubtedly provides a lot of hope,” said Varela. Hopefully we can offer patients a safe option that can slow the disease and reverse fibrosis in the future.”
The results of the study published in Science Translational Medicine are also based on previous research carried out on galectin in Argentina (Illustrative Image Infobae)
Meanwhile, the doctor Guillermo Arbesuspecialist in hematology and member of the Argentine Group for the treatment of malignant hemopathies (GATLA)he said when asked by Infobae: “The identification of Galectin-1 as a therapeutic target brings new hope for treating a rare and serious disease that has seen little progress in recent years.”
The ongoing development of a monoclonal antibody against galectin-1 shows – added the specialist – “how basic scientific discoveries They can be transformed into more effective treatments. This comprehensive approach It is key to facing complex diseases and promote the advancement of translational medicine, and the importance of Argentine research at a global level is also highlighted.”
