Cutting edge: CD7 delivers a pro-apoptotic signal during galectin-1-induced T cell death

Galectin-1, an endogenous lectin expressed in lymphoid organs and immune-pr ivileged sites, induces death of human and murine thymocytes and T cells. G alectin-1 binds to several glycoproteins on the T cell surface, including C D7, However, the T cell surface glycoprotein receptors responsible for deli vering the galectin-1 death signal have not been identified, We show that C D7 is required for galectin-1-mediated death. This demonstrates a novel fun ction for CD7 as a death trigger and identifies galectin-1/CD7 as a new bio logic death signaling pair.