Characterization of a neutralizing anti-human galectin-1 monoclonal antibody with angioregulatory and immunomodulatory activities

Galectins, a family of highly conserved β-galactoside-binding proteins, control tumor progression by modulating different hallmarks of cancer. Galectin-1 (Gal-1), a proto-type member of this family, plays essential roles in tumor angiogenesis and immunosuppression by cross-linking glycosylated receptors on the surface of endothelial and immune cells. Targeted disruption of Gal-1 suppresses tumor growth by counteracting aberrant angiogenesis and reinforcing antitumor immunity in several experimental settings. Given the multiple therapeutic benefits associated with Gal-1 blockade, several Gal-1 inhibitors, including glycan-based competitors, antagonistic peptides, aptamers and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, have been designed and evaluated in pre-clinical tumor models. Here we report the biochemical and functional characterization of a newly developed neutralizing anti-human Gal-1 monoclonal antibody (Gal-1-mAb3), which specifically recognizes a unique epitope in Gal-1 protein and exerts both angioregulatory and immunomodulatory activities. Blockade of Gal-1 function using Gal-1-mAb3, might be relevant not only in cancer but also in other pathologic conditions characterized by aberrant angiogenesis and uncontrolled immunosuppression.