Galectins—Potential Therapeutic Targets for Neurodegenerative Disorders

Abstract

Advancements in medicine have increased the longevity of humans, resulting in a higher incidence of chronic diseases. Due to the rise in the elderly population, age-dependent neurodegenerative disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent. The available treatment options only provide symptomatic relief and do not cure the underlying cause of the disease. Therefore, it has become imperative to discover new markers and therapies to modulate the course of disease progression and develop better treatment options for the affected individuals. Growing evidence indicates that neuroinflammation is a common factor and one of the main inducers of neuronal damage and degeneration. Galectins (Gals) are a class of β-galactoside-binding proteins (lectins) ubiquitously expressed in almost all vital organs. Gals modulate various cellular responses and regulate significant biological functions, including immune response, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cell growth, through their interaction with glycoproteins and glycolipids. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on the Gal superfamily, with Gal-1, Gal-3, and Gal-9 in prime focus. Their roles have been described in modulating neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative processes. In this review, we discuss the role of Gals in the causation and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. We describe the role of Gals in microglia and astrocyte modulation, along with their pro- and anti-inflammatory functions. In addition, we discuss the potential use of Gals as a novel therapeutic target for neuroinflammation and restoring tissue damage in neurodegenerative diseases.

Comprehensive analysis based on machine learning algorithm: Hspb1 and Lgals3 in neurons after spinal cord injury are closely related to autophagy

“…Lgals3 regulates various cellular responses and important biological functions, including immune response, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cell growth [53]. In neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lgals3 has been clearly identi ed as a biomarker in serum, plasma, and/or cerebrospinal uid (CSF) [54]. The latest research shows that Lgals3 is directly involved in regulating the autophagy induced by lysosomal stress induced by SNCA brils in human midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons [55].…”

The Role of Galectin-3 in Retinal Degeneration and Other Ocular Diseases: A Potential Novel Biomarker and Therapeutic Target

“…During the development of the CNS, Gal3 is expressed in a variety of glial cells, including microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes [29], and contributes to the migration of neurocytes, myelination of oligodendrocytes, and growth of Neurite [30,31]. Gal3 may play its role via various mechanisms and interact with numerous pathways, promoting cell apoptosis, adhesion, inflammation, angiogenesis, and fibrosis.…”

“…During the development of the CNS, Gal3 is expressed in a variety of glial cells, including microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes [29], and contributes to the migration of neurocytes, myelination of oligodendrocytes, and growth of Neurite [30,31]. Meanwhile, more and more studies have proved that the Gal3 released by activated microglia in response to extra insults seems to participate in the brain immune response [32,33].…”

Galectin-9 in cancer therapy: from immune checkpoint ligand to promising therapeutic target

“…However, it is important to note that other features are also crucial in the context of tumors. Gal-9 possesses multiple properties within the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and can be expressed to varying extents in nearly all immune cells ( Chaudhary et al, 2022 ), including tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) ( Qi et al, 2019 ), antigen-presenting cells (APCs) ( Ashraf et al, 2017 ), Regulatory T-cells (Treg cells) ( Ashraf et al, 2015 ), and T-cells.…”