Galectin-1 fuels monocyte hyperinflammation and is a novel therapeutic target in myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Galectin-1 drives monocyte hyperinflammation in myeloproliferative neoplasms, with Lgals1 ablation reducing disease features in mice.

• Why it matters: Understanding the mechanisms behind monocyte-driven inflammation in MPNs is crucial for developing targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes and address unmet clinical needs.
• What they did: Single-cell RNA sequencing, mass cytometry, and in vitro experiments identified elevated galectin-1 in MPN monocytes and its role in promoting inflammation via TLR4 and NF-κB pathways, with genetic and pharmacological inhibition tested in mouse models.
• The result: Targeting Gal-1 reduced inflammation, leukocytosis, and splenomegaly in mice, and suppressed thrombosis and inflammation in vivo, suggesting Gal-1 as a promising therapeutic target for MPNs.