Anti-Galectin-9 (human), Rabbit Monoclonal (RM499)

Galectin-9 (Gal-9), a beta-galactoside-binding protein, primarily plays an immunosuppressive role in the tumor microenvironment, via binding with several cell surface receptors expressed on immune cells. Although Gal-9 was initially identified as a ligand for T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing molecule 3 (TIM-3) in the induction of T-cell death, it also binds to other immunoregulatory receptors. For instance, Gal-9 binding to the innate receptor dectin-1 promotes M2 polarization of macrophages that suppresses antitumor immune responses. Gal-9 has also been shown to promote the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) through interaction with cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) and drive the expansion of Tregs through binding with death receptor 3. The aberrantly high expression of Gal-9 in a range of cancers suggests that Gal-9 could be significant both as a biomarker and a therapeutic target.