摘要：SummaryAdaptive immunity can target a nearly infinite range of antigens, yet it is tempered by tolerogenic mechanisms that limit autoimmunity. Such immunological tolerance, however, creates a gap in adaptive immunity against microbes decorated with self-like antigens as a form of molecular mimicry. Our results demonstrate that the innate immune lectin galectin-7 (Gal-7) binds a variety of distinct microbes, all of which share features of blood group-like antigens. Gal-7 binding to each blood group expressing microbe, including strains ofEscherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Providencia alcalifaciens,andStreptococcus pneumoniae, results in loss of microbial viability. Although Gal-7 also binds red blood cells (RBCs), this interaction does not alter RBC membrane integrity. These results demonstrate that Gal-7 recognizes a diverse range of microbes, each of which use molecular mimicry while failing to induce host cell injury, and thus may provide an innate form of immunity against molecular mimicry.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Galectin-7 exhibits high specificity for blood group containing antigens•Galectin-7 binds and kills microbes that express blood-group like antigensBiological sciences; Biochemistry; Molecular biology; Immunology
