Galectin-3 in autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases

Abstract

Galectin-3 (gal-3) is a b-galactoside-binding lectin, which regulates cell-cell and extracellular interactions during self/ non-self-antigen recognition and cellular activation, proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. It plays a significant role in cellular and tissue pathophysiology by organizing niches that drive inflammation and immune responses. Gal-3 has some therapeutic potential in several diseases, including chronic inflammatory disorders, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Gal-3 exerts a broad spectrum of functions which differs according to its intra-or extracellular localization. Recombinant gal-3 strategy has been used to identify potential mode of action of gal-3; however, exogenous gal-3 may not reproduce the functions of the endogenous gal-3. Notably, gal-3 induces monocyte-macrophage differentiation, interferes with dendritic cell fate decision, regulates apoptosis on T lymphocytes and inhibits B-lymphocyte differentiation into immunoglobulin secreting plasma cells. Considering the influence of these cell populations in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases, gal-3 seems to play a role in development of autoimmunity. Gal-3 has been suggested as a potential therapeutic agent in patients affected with some autoimmune disorders. However, the precise role of gal-3 in driving the inflammatory process in autoimmune or immune-mediated disorders remains elusive. Here, we reviewed the involvement of gal-3 in cellular and tissue events during autoimmune and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Retrospective Proteomic Screening of 100 Breast Cancer Tissues

“…growth factor receptors, integrins and members of the Notch family, and other extracellular matrix molecules [139]. In cancer, LEG3 seems to participate to the membrane dynamics of cell migration and in the escaping of the T cells-mediated immune-response [140]. On the basis of its overexpression and of its functions in the breast cancer cells, LEG3 has been recently candidated as biomarker for the triple-negative breast cancer progression [141].…”

Role of galectin-3 in the pathogenesis of bladder transitional cell carcinoma

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Lactosamine‐Based Derivatives as Tools to Delineate the Biological Functions of Galectins: Application to Skin Tissue Repair

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