| abstract |
It has now been discovered that galectin-12 is necessary for the differentiation of pre-adipocytes into adipocytes and for differentiation of leukocytes. Inhibition of galectin-12 activity can therefore be used to block the formation of new fat cells or to down-regulate the formation of leukocytes, for example, to promote wound healing. The invention provides, for example, short, interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to inhibit expression of galectin-12 and its consequent activity. The invention further provides the use of inhibitors of galectin-12 activity and methods of inhibiting galectin-12 activity using such inhibitors. |