Members of the galectin family of endogenous lectins are potent adhesion/growth-regulatory effectors. Their multifunctionality opens possibilities for their use in bioapplications. We studied whether human galectins induce the conversion of human dermal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts (MFBs) and the production of a bioactive extracellular matrix scaffold is suitable for cell culture. Testing a panel of galectins of all three subgroups, including natural and engineered variants, we detected activity for the proto-type galectin-1 and galectin-7, the chimera-type galectin-3 and the tandem-repeat-type galectin-4. The activity of galectin-1 required the integrity of the carbohydrate recognition domain. It was independent of the presence of TGF-β1, but it yielded an additive effect. The resulting MFBs, relevant, for example, for tumor progression, generated a matrix scaffold rich in fibronectin and galectin-1 that supported keratinocyte culture without feeder cells. Of note, keratinocytes cultured on this substratum presented a stem-like cell phenotype with small size and keratin-19 expression. In vivo in rats, galectin-1 had a positive effect on skin wound closure 21 days after surgery. In conclusion, we describe the differential potential of certain human galectins to induce the conversion of dermal fibroblasts into MFBs and the generation of a bioactive cell culture substratum.

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Background: High cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may be related to mineral disorder and microinflammation. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) is a phosphatonin and inhibitor of calcitriol synthesis, which is associated with poor prognosis in CKD patients starting dialysis. Matrix-metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) contribute to myocardial remodeling and arterial calcification. FGF-23 and MMPs levels are altered in CKD, however, little is known about their association and relation to cardiovascular (CV) disease. Methods: Standard laboratory parameters, plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, FGF-23, PAPP-A and CV disease history were assessed in 80 patients with CKD 1–5 and 44 healthy control subjects. Results: FGF-23 and MMP-2 (assessed by ELISA) were higher in CKD patients compared to controls. FGF-23 increased from CKD 3, whereas MMP-2 increased only in CKD 5. FGF-23 was positively associated with MMP-2, adjusted to age, eGFR, phosphatemia, calcitriol and parathormone. FGF-23 independently correlated with parathormone and inversely with calcitriol, whereas MMP-2 was related to phosphatemia. FGF-23 was higher in subjects with a history of CV disease compared to those free of such history (559.0 vs.184.0 RU/ml), adjusted to age and eGFR. Conclusion: Our data suggest a possible relationship between FGF-23, MMP-2 and CV disease in CKD. Potential causality of this association remains to be elucidated.

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