• Galectin-1, also known as 14kDa lectin, galaptin, and lectin galactoside-binding soluble 1, is a β-galactoside binding lectin encoded by the gene LGALS1. Galectin-1 is a 134 amino acid non-glycosylated secreted protein that forms a non-covalently linked homodimer. Galectin-1 is expressed in a wide range of tissues and has various intracellular and extracellular functions, where generally it is a modulator of immune responses. Galectin-1 may act as an autocrine negative growth factor that regulates cell proliferation.
• The exons 1-4 of mouse Lgals1 gene that encode the whole molecule (ATG to STOP codon), including The promoter, 5’UTR and 3’UTR region were replaced by human counterparts in B-hLGALS1 mice. The human LGALS1 expression is driven by endogenous human LGALS1 promoter, while mouse Lgals1 gene transcription and translation will be disrupted.
• Human LGALS1 was detectable in homozygous B-hLGALS1 mice and wild-type C57BL/6JNifdc mice, as the kit is cross-recognize both human and mouse LGALS1.
• Mouse Lgals1 mRNA was detectable only in wild-type mice. Human LGALS1 mRNA was detectable only homozygous B-hLGALS1 mice but not in wild-type mice. 

Gene targeting strategy for B-hLGALS1 mice. 

The exons 1-4 of mouse Lgals1 gene that encode the whole molecule (ATG to STOP codon), including The promoter, 5’UTR and 3’UTR region were replaced by human counterparts in B-hLGALS1 mice. The human LGALS1 expression is driven by endogenous human LGALS1 promoter, while mouse Lgals1 gene transcription and translation will be disrupted.

Strain specific LGALS1 expression analysis in wild-type C57BL/6JNifdc mice and homozygous humanized B-hLGALS1 mice by ELISA. Plasma was collected from male wild-type C57BL/6JNifdc mice (+/+) (n=3, 8-week-old) and homozygous B-hLGALS1 mice (H/H) (n=3, 8-week-old). Protein expression level of  LGALS1 was analyzed by ELISA (Abcam, ab260053). Human LGALS1 was detectable in homozygous B-hLGALS1 mice and wild-type C57BL/6JNifdc mice, as the kit is cross-recognize both human and mouse LGALS1.

Strain specific analysis of LGALS1 mRNA expression in wild-type C57BL/6JNifdc mice and B-hLGALS1 mice by RT-PCR. Liver RNA were isolated from wildtype C57BL/6 mice (+/+) and homozygous B-hLGALS1 mice (H/H), then cDNA libraries were synthesized by reverse transcription, followed by PCR with mouse or human LGALS1 primers. Mouse Lgals1 mRNA was detectable only in wild-type mice. Human LGALS1 mRNA was detectable only homozygous B-hLGALS1 mice but not in wild-type mice.