Galectin-3 as a Next-Generation Biomarker for Detecting Early Stage of Various Diseases

Sex-specific associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and galectin-3 in the general population

AIMS

Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with greater mortality and morbidity. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a prognostic biomarker for fibrosis and heart failure. Gal-3 is also associated with a greater risk for cardiovascular mortality. Whether CRF is related with Gal-3 is unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the sex-specific associations of CRF and Gal-3 levels in the general population.

METHODS

Gal-3 concentrations were determined using a sandwich enzyme immunoassay in the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-TREND-0). Sex-stratified linear regression models adjusted for age, current smoking status, and renal function were used. Individuals with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%, previous myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, chronic lung disease, severe renal disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/mm² ), a history of cancer, and extreme values for Gal-3 (<1st percentile; >99th percentile) were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of n = 1515 participants with a median age of 49 (IQR: 39-60 years, 48% males) were included. In men, a 1 L/min greater VO₂ peak was significantly related to 0.50 ng/mL (95% CI -0.8068 to -0.1938, P < 0.01) less Gal-3. In males, a 1 mL/min/kg higher VO₂ peak adjusted for body weight was associated with -0.0286 ng/mL (95% CI -0.0052 to -0.0005, P = 0.02) less Gal-3. When VO₂ peak was adjusted for lean mass 1 mL/kg/min more was correlated with a -0.0022 ng/mL (95% CI -0.0043 to -0.0007, P = 0.04) less Gal-3. In women, VO₂ peak (β -0.2046 95% CI -0.6541 to 0.2449, P = 0.37) and VO₂ peak adjusted for lean mass (β -0.0019 95% CI -0.0421 to -0.0050, P = 0.12) were not related with Gal-3, whereas a 1 mL/min/kg higher VO₂ peak adjusted for body weight was significantly associated with a -0.0064 ng/mL lower Gal-3 (95% CI -0.0092 to -0.0035, P < 0.01). There were no differences between pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women.

CONCLUSIONS

VO₂ peak was associated with Gal-3 only in men, but VO₂ peak adjusted for body weight in women and men. Our results suggest that the adverse consequences of low CRF may be mediated by Gal-3. Further research is needed to understand the sex-specific association between CRF and Gal-3 and whether they are clinically relevant.

Contributing Factors to Increased Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Volume in COVID-19 ICU Patients in Sanglah Hospital: A Study on Galectin-3

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease that has become the largest pandemic and also could put the heart at risk of dysfunction. Galectin-3 is involved in the inflammatory process that continues with remodeling and eventually fibrosis. Using galectin-3 examination, we could predict the possible worsening of heart function and evaluate data on influencing factors for increased left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) which could later progress to heart failure. METHODS: This is an observational prospective analytic study in the COVID-19 ICU of Sanglah Hospital, Bali, Indonesia. The study was conducted from June to October 2021. All research subjects had their blood samples taken for galectin-3 levels examination using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Subjects were also evaluated for left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) with echocardiography, SOFA scores, and troponin I levels. Subjects were treated with COVID-19 standard protocol established by the Ministry of Health. After 72 h post-admission, subjects were re-examined for galectin-3 levels and LVEDV. Data were analyzed using STATA™. RESULTS: A total of 45 research subjects were analyzed. Bivariate analysis of the difference of galectin-3 and LVEDV was shown to be insignificant (r = 0.08), no correlation was found between galectin-3 level and LVEDV on ICU admission (r = 0.191), and no correlation found between galectin-3 level and LVEDV after 72 h of hospitalization (r=0.197). Multivariate analysis also showed that none of the variables, namely, difference of galectin-3 level, age, gender, troponin I, SOFA, and Charlson scores had statistically significant correlation with LVEDV (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: No significant correlation was found between galectin-3 level and an increase in LVEDV.

Association between Galectin Levels and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Galectins are a family of proteins with an affinity for β-galactosides that have roles in neuroprotection and neuroinflammation. Several studies indicate that patients with neurodegenerative diseases have alterations in the concentration of galectins in their blood and brain. However, the results of the studies are contradictory; hence, a meta-analysis is performed to clarify whether patients with neurodegenerative diseases have elevated galectin levels compared to healthy individuals. Related publications are obtained from the databases: PubMed, Central-Conchrane, Web of Science database, OVID-EMBASE, Scope, and EBSCO host until February 2022. A pooled standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) is calculated by fixed-effect or random-effect model analysis. In total, 17 articles are included in the meta-analysis with a total of 905 patients. Patients with neurodegenerative diseases present a higher level of galectin expression compared to healthy individuals (MDS = 0.70, 95% CI 0.28–1.13, p = 0.001). In the subgroup analysis by galectin type, a higher galectin-3 expression is observed in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD) expressed higher levels of galectin-3. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have higher levels of galectin-9. In conclusion, our meta-analysis shows that patients with neurovegetative diseases have higher galectin levels compared to healthy individuals. Galectin levels are associated with the type of disease, sample, detection technique, and region of origin of the patients.

Exploring the Molecular Interactions of Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical Selenoglycosides with Human Galectin-1 and Galectin-3

Galectins (Gals) are small cytosolic proteins that bind β-galactoside residues via their evolutionarily conserved carbohydrate recognition domain. Their dysregulation has been shown to be associated with many diseases. Consequently, targeting galectins for clinical applications has become increasingly relevant to develop tailored inhibitors selectively for one galectin. Accordingly, binding studies providing the molecular details of the interaction between galectin and inhibitor may be useful for the rational design of potent and selective antagonists. Gal-1 and Gal-3 are among the best-studied galectins, mainly for their roles in cancer progression; therefore, the molecular details of their interaction with inhibitors are demanded. This work gains more value by focusing on the interaction between Gal-1 and Gal-3 with the selenylated analogue of the Gal inhibitor thiodigalactose, characterized by a selenoglycoside bond (SeDG), and with unsymmetrical diglycosyl selenides (unsym(Se). Gal-1 and Gal-3 were produced heterologously and biophysically characterized. Interaction studies were performed by ITC, NMR spectroscopy, and MD simulation, and thermodynamic values were discussed and integrated with spectroscopic and computational results. The 3D complexes involving SeDG when interacting with Gal-1 and Gal-3 were depicted. Overall, the collected results will help identify hot spots for the design of new, better performing, and more specific Gal inhibitors.

MG-Pe: A Novel Galectin-3 Ligand with Antimelanoma Properties and Adjuvant Effects to Dacarbazine

Melanoma is a highly metastatic and rapidly progressing cancer, a leading cause of mortality among skin cancers. The melanoma microenvironment, formed from the activity of malignant cells on the extracellular matrix and the recruitment of immune cells, plays an active role in the development of drug resistance and tumor recurrence, which are clinical challenges in cancer treatment. These tumoral metabolic processes are affected by proteins, including Galectin-3 (Gal-3), which is extensively involved in cancer development. Previously, we characterized a partially methylated mannogalactan (MG-Pe) with antimelanoma activities. In vivo models of melanoma were used to observe MG-Pe effects in survival, spontaneous, and experimental metastases and in tissue oxidative stress. Analytical assays for the molecular interaction of MG-Pe and Gal-3 were performed using a quartz crystal microbalance, atomic force microscopy, and contact angle tensiometer. MG-Pe exhibits an additive effect when administered together with the chemotherapeutic agent dacarbazine, leading to increased survival of treated mice, metastases reduction, and the modulation of oxidative stress. MG-Pe binds to galectin-3. Furthermore, MG-Pe antitumor effects were substantially reduced in Gal-3/KO mice. Our results showed that the novel Gal-3 ligand, MG-Pe, has both antitumor and antimetastatic effects, alone or in combination with chemotherapy.

Systematic Review: Targeted Molecular Imaging of Angiogenesis and Its Mediators in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Extensive angiogenesis is a characteristic feature in the synovial tissue of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from a very early stage of the disease onward and constitutes a crucial event for the development of the proliferative synovium. This process is markedly intensified in patients with prolonged disease duration, high disease activity, disease severity, and significant inflammatory cell infiltration. Angiogenesis is therefore an interesting target for the development of new therapeutic approaches as well as disease monitoring strategies in RA. To this end, nuclear imaging modalities represent valuable non-invasive tools that can selectively target molecular markers of angiogenesis and accurately and quantitatively track molecular changes in multiple joints simultaneously. This systematic review summarizes the imaging markers used for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) approaches, targeting pathways and mediators involved in synovial neo-angiogenesis in RA.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Fibrosis by Enhancing Autophagy via Inhibiting Galectin-3/Akt/mTOR Pathway and by Alleviating the EMT via Inhibiting Galectin-3/Akt/GSK3β/Snail Pathway in NRK-52E Fibrosis

Background and Objectives

Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the origins of myofibroblasts in renal interstitial fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) alleviating EMT has been proved, but the concrete mechanism is unclear. To explore the mechanism, serum-free MSCs conditioned medium (SF-MSCs-CM) was used to treat rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) fibrosis induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) which ameliorated EMT.

Methods and Results

Galectin-3 knockdown (Gal-3 KD) and overexpression (Gal-3 OE) lentiviral vectors were established and transfected into NRK-52E. NRK-52E fibrosis model was induced by TGF-β1 and treated with the SF-MSCs-CM for 24 h after modelling. Fibrosis and autophagy related indexes were detected by western blot and immunocytochemistry. In model group, the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin (FN), Galectin-3, Snail, Kim-1, and the ratios of P-Akt/Akt, P-GSK3β/GSK3β, P-PI3K/PI3K, P-mTOR/mTOR, TIMP1/MMP9, and LC3B-II/I were obviously increased, and E-Cadherin (E-cad) and P62 decreased significantly compared with control group. SF-MSCs-CM showed an opposite trend after treatment compared with model group. Whether in Gal-3 KD or Gal-3 OE NRK-52E cells, SF-MSCs-CM also showed similar trends. However, the effects of anti-fibrosis and enhanced autophagy in Gal-3 KD cells were more obvious than those in Gal-3 OE cells.

Conclusions

SF-MSCs-CM probably alleviated the EMT via inhibiting Galectin-3/Akt/GSK3β/Snail pathway. Meanwhile, Gal-3 KD possibly enhanced autophagy via inhibiting Galectin-3/Akt/mTOR pathway, which synergistically ameliorated renal fibrosis. Targeting galectin-3 may be a potential target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, citrus pectin, and milk-derived exosomes on intestinal barrier integrity and immunity in animals

The gastrointestinal tract of livestock and poultry is prone to challenge by feedborne antigens, pathogens, and other stress factors in the farm environment. Excessive physiological inflammation and oxidative stress that arises firstly disrupts the intestinal epithelial barrier followed by other components of the gastrointestinal tract. In the present review, the interrelationship between intestinal barrier inflammation and oxidative stress that contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease was described. Further, the role of naturally existing immunomodulatory nutrients such as the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, citrus pectin, and milk-derived exosomes in preventing intestinal barrier inflammation was discussed. Based on the existing evidence, the possible molecular mechanism of these bioactive nutrients in the intestinal barrier was outlined for application in animal diets.

Inhibition of Galectin-3 Impairs Antifungal Immune Response in Fungal Keratitis

Galectin-3 is one of the galectin family members which are master regulators of immune homeostasis, especially in infectious diseases. However, its mechanism of immune regulation in fungal keratitis has not been thoroughly studied. Our study is aimed at clarifying the role of galectin-3 in the fungal keratitis mouse model in vivo, thereby providing a new biomarker of antifungal therapy. In our study, aspergillus, the most common pathogenic fungi of fungal keratitis, was identified and isolated by corneal tissue fungus culture. Then, the RNA expression levels of galectin family members in corneas of the mouse model with aspergillus fumigatus keratitis were screened by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). The expression of the galectin-3 was detected by quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunofluorescence in the corneal tissue of the fungal keratitis mouse model. Recruitment of neutrophils and the co-immunofluorescence of galectin-3 and related markers in corneal tissue were determined by flow cytometry analysis and immunofluorescence staining. The regulatory role of galectin-3 for proinflammatory cytokines and neutrophils was validated by the knockout mouse model. Galectin-3 knockout deteriorated the condition for the inhibition of galectin-3 was benefecial for fungi to survive and thrive in corneal lesions. These results demonstrated that in the ocular fungal infection, galectin-3 is capable of regulating the pathogenesis of fungal keratitis by modulating neutrophil recruitment. The deterioration of fungal keratitis and increased fungal load in corneal lesions of galectin-3 knockout mice proved the regulatory role of galectin-3 in fungal keratitis. In conclusion, galectin-3 is going to be an essential target to modulate neutrophil recruitment and its related antifungal immune response in fungal keratitis.

Galectin-3 in Kidney Diseases: From an Old Protein to a New Therapeutic Target

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a 30KDa lectin implicated in multiple pathophysiology pathways including renal damage and fibrosis. Gal-3 binds β-galactoside through its carbohydrate-recognition domain. From intra-cellular to extra-cellular localization, Gal-3 has multiple roles including transduction signal pathway, cell-to-cell adhesion, cell to extracellular matrix adhesion, and immunological chemoattractant protein. Moreover, Gal-3 has also been linked to kidney disease in both preclinical models and clinical studies. Gal-3 inhibition appears to improve renal disease in several pathological conditions, thus justifying the development of multiple drug inhibitors. This review aims to summarize the latest literature regarding Gal-3 in renal pathophysiology, from its role as a biomarker to its potential as a therapeutic agent.

Galectin-3 enhances atrial remodelling and arrhythmogenesis through CD98 signalling

AIM

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a biomarker of atrial fibrillation (AF) that mediates atrial inflammation. CD98 is the membrane surface receptor for Gal-3. Nevertheless, the role of the Gal-3/CD98 axis in atrial arrhythmogenesis is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of Gal-3/CD98 signalling on atrial pathogenesis.

METHODS

Whole cell patch clamp and western blotting were used to analyse calcium/potassium homeostasis and calcium-related signalling in Gal-3-administrated HL-1 atrial cardiomyocytes with/without CD98 neutralized antibodies. Telemetry electrocardiographic recording, Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry staining of atrium were obtained from mice having received tail-vein injections with Gal-3.

RESULTS

Gal-3-treated HL-1 myocytes had a shorter action potential duration, smaller L-type calcium current, increased sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium content, Na⁺ /Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) current, transient outward potassium current, and ultrarapid delayed rectifier potassium current than control cells had. Gal-3-treated HL-1 myocytes had greater levels of SR Ca²⁺ ATPase, NCX, Nav1.5, and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) expression and increased calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation than control cells had. Gal-3-mediated activation of CaMKII/RyR2 pathway was diminished in the cotreatment of anti-CD98 antibodies. Mice that were injected with Gal-3 had more atrial ectopic beats, increased atrial fibrosis, and activated NF-κB/NLRP3 signalling than did control mice (nonspecific immunoglobulin) or mice treated with Gal-3 and anti-CD98 antibodies.

CONCLUSION

Gal-3 recombinant protein administration increases atrial fibrosis and arrhythmogenesis through CD98 signalling. Targeting Gal-3/CD98 axis might be a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with AF and high Gal-3 levels.

Investigation of the Molecular Details of the Interactions of Selenoglycosides and Human Galectin-3

Human galectin-3 (hGal-3) is involved in a variety of biological processes and is implicated in wide range of diseases. As a result, targeting hGal-3 for clinical applications has become an intense area of research. As a step towards the development of novel hGal-3 inhibitors, we describe a study of the binding of two Se-containing hGal-3 inhibitors, specifically that of di(β-D-galactopyranosyl)selenide (SeDG), in which two galactose rings are linked by one Se atom and a di(β-D-galactopyranosyl)diselenide (DSeDG) analogue with a diseleno bond between the two sugar units. The binding affinities of these derivatives to hGal-3 were determined by ¹⁵N-¹H HSQC NMR spectroscopy and fluorescence anisotropy titrations in solution, indicating a slight decrease in the strength of interaction for SeDG compared to thiodigalactoside (TDG), a well-known inhibitor of hGal-3, while DSeDG displayed a much weaker interaction strength. NMR and FA measurements showed that both seleno derivatives bind to the canonical S face site of hGal-3 and stack against the conserved W181 residue also confirmed by X-ray crystallography, revealing canonical properties of the interaction. The interaction with DSeDG revealed two distinct binding modes in the crystal structure which are in fast exchange on the NMR time scale in solution, explaining a weaker interaction with hGal-3 than SeDG. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we have found that energetic contributions to the binding enthalpies mainly differ in the electrostatic interactions and in polar solvation terms and are responsible for weaker binding of DSeDG compared to SeDG. Selenium-containing carbohydrate inhibitors of hGal-3 showing canonical binding modes offer the potential of becoming novel hydrolytically stable scaffolds for a new class of hGal-3 inhibitors.

Galectin-3 as a potential prognostic biomarker of severe COVID-19 in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients

Severe COVID-19 is associated with a systemic hyperinflammatory response leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multi-organ failure, and death. Galectin-3 is a ß-galactoside binding lectin known to drive neutrophil infiltration and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines contributing to airway inflammation. Thus, we aimed to investigate the potential of galectin-3 as a biomarker of severe COVID-19 outcomes. We prospectively included 156 patients with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19. A severe outcome was defined as the requirement of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and/or in-hospital death. A non-severe outcome was defined as discharge without IMV requirement. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the prognostic ability of serum galectin-3 for a severe outcome. Galectin-3 levels discriminated well between severe and non-severe outcomes and correlated with markers of COVID-19 severity, (CRP, NLR, D-dimer, and neutrophil count). Using a forward-stepwise logistic regression analysis we identified galectin-3 [odds ratio (OR) 3.68 (95% CI 1.47-9.20), p < 0.01] to be an independent predictor of severe outcome. Furthermore, galectin-3 in combination with CRP, albumin and CT pulmonary affection > 50%, had significantly improved ability to predict severe outcomes [AUC 0.85 (95% CI 0.79-0.91, p < 0.0001)]. Based on the evidence presented here, we recommend clinicians measure galectin-3 levels upon admission to facilitate allocation of appropriate resources in a timely manner to COVID-19 patients at highest risk of severe outcome.

Establishment of Galectin-3 Time-resolved Fluoroimmunoassay and its Application in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy

The aim of this study was to establish a time-resolved fluorescent immunoassay (TRFIA) for the detection of serum Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and apply this method to evaluate the clinical significance of serum Gal-3 in predicting Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy (IMN) progression. The Gal-3-TRFIA was established using the double antibody sandwich method, with the capture antibodies coated on a 96-well microplate and the detection antibodies chelated with Europium (III) (Eu³⁺). Serum Gal-3 was detected in 81 patients with IMN and 123 healthy controls to further evaluate the value of the Gal-3 in staging of IMN. The sensitivity of the Gal-3-TRFIA assay was 0.85 ng/mL, and the detection range was 0.85-1000 ng/mL. The Gal-3 intra-batch and inter-batch coefficients of variation were 3.45% and 5.12%, respectively. The correlation coefficient (R) between the Gal-3-TRFIA assay and commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits was 0.83. The serum Gal-3 concentration was higher in patients with IMN (65.57 ± 55.90 ng/mL) compared to healthy controls (16.29 ± 9.91 ng/mL, P < 0.0001). In this study, a wide detection range Gal-3-TRFIA assay was developed using lanthanide (Eu³⁺) chelates for the detection of Gal-3 concentrations in serum. Gal-3 concentration is elevated in patients with IMN.

Galectin-3 as a Novel Multifaceted and Not Only Cardiovascular Biomarker in Patients with Psoriasis with Regard to Systemic Treatment-Preliminary Data

Simple Summary

Galectin-3 (gal-3) regulates many different biological processes and diseases, which are common accompanying diseases of psoriasis. Psoriasis is one of the most common skin diseases. There is little information about potential diagnostic role of gal-3 in psoriasis. Serum gal-3 concentrations were measured before and after twelve weeks of antipsoriatic treatment in patients with psoriasis and compared to 11 persons without psoriasis (control group). Serum gal-3 level in patients with psoriasis was significantly higher compared to the control group. In obese patients and long-lasting psoriasis positive relations of gal-3 and index of psoriasis severity were noted. In psoriatics with low gal-3 levels, it was noted that the higher the gal-3, the higher the BMI and glucose level. In patients with long history of psoriasis it was observed that the higher gal-3, the lower the lipids levels. The Gal-3 level might be a factor affecting the course of psoriasis and useful in prediction of cardiometabolic comorbidities, especially in patients with a long history of the disease or obesity. Patients with low serum gal-3 and a short history of psoriasis may have greater risk of diabetes. In obese patients with long-lasting psoriasis, gal-3 may have a beneficial influence against abnormal lipid profiles or perhaps further cardiovascular disorder development.

Abstract

Galectin-3 (gal-3) is a multifunctional regulator of various biological processes and diseases, which are common comorbidities in psoriasis. Data regarding potential diagnostic role of gal-3 in psoriasis are insufficient. Serum gal-3 levels were evaluated before and after twelve weeks of treatment with acitretin or methotrexate in 31 patients with plaque-type psoriasis and compared to 11 healthy control group. The mean serum galectin-3 level in patients with psoriasis was significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.01). In patients with obesity and long-lasting psoriasis (>20 years) positive relations of gal-3 and PASI were noted. In psoriatics with low gal-3 levels, positive correlations between the gal-3 and BMI, glucose level, and with the latter in short-lasting psoriasis (<20 years) were noted. In the long history of psoriasis, gal-3 was negatively correlated with lipids levels. The Gal-3 level might be a multifaceted modulator of the course of psoriasis and predictive factor of cardiometabolic comorbidities’ development, especially in patients with a long history of the disease or obesity. Patients with low serum gal-3 and short history of psoriasis are presumably at greater risk of diabetes. In patients with long-lasting psoriasis and concomitant obesity, gal-3 may exert a protective role against dyslipidemia or perhaps further CMD development.

Galectin-3 is elevated in CSF and is associated with Aβ deposits and tau aggregates in brain tissue in Alzheimer's disease

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a beta-galactosidase binding protein involved in microglial activation in the central nervous system (CNS). We previously demonstrated the crucial deleterious role of Gal-3 in microglial activation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Under AD conditions, Gal-3 is primarily expressed by microglial cells clustered around Aβ plaques in both human and mouse brain, and knocking out Gal-3 reduces AD pathology in AD-model mice. To further unravel the importance of Gal-3-associated inflammation in AD, we aimed to investigate the Gal-3 inflammatory response in the AD continuum. First, we measured Gal-3 levels in neocortical and hippocampal tissue from early-onset AD patients, including genetic and sporadic cases. We found that Gal-3 levels were significantly higher in both cortex and hippocampus in AD subjects. Immunohistochemistry revealed that Gal-3+ microglial cells were associated with amyloid plaques of a larger size and more irregular shape and with neurons containing tau-inclusions. We then analyzed the levels of Gal-3 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from AD patients (n = 119) compared to control individuals (n = 36). CSF Gal-3 levels were elevated in AD patients compared to controls and more strongly correlated with tau (p-Tau181 and t-tau) and synaptic markers (GAP-43 and neurogranin) than with amyloid-β. Lastly, principal component analysis (PCA) of AD biomarkers revealed that CSF Gal-3 clustered and associated with other CSF neuroinflammatory markers, including sTREM-2, GFAP, and YKL-40. This neuroinflammatory component was more highly expressed in the CSF from amyloid-β positive (A+), CSF p-Tau181 positive (T+), and biomarker neurodegeneration positive/negative (N+/-) (A + T + N+/-) groups compared to the A + T-N- group. Overall, Gal-3 stands out as a key pathological biomarker of AD pathology that is measurable in CSF and, therefore, a potential target for disease-modifying therapies involving the neuroinflammatory response.

Serum Galectin-3 as a Potential Predictive Biomarker Is Associated with Poststroke Cognitive Impairment

Objective

Galectin-3, an inflammatory mediator derived from microglia, participates in the pathophysiological process of various neurological diseases. However, the relationship between galectin-3 and poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) remains ambiguous. This research purposed to prove whether serum galectin-3 can predict PSCI.

Methods

In the end, an aggregate of 416 patients with the first acute ischemic stroke (AIS) were continuously and prospectively enrolled in the study. Upon admission, the baseline data of AIS patients were collected, and their serum galectin-3 levels were measured. Three months after the stroke, the Montreal Cognitive Scale (MoCA) was utilized to measure the cognitive function of AIS patients, and PSCI was defined as a MoCA score less than 26 points.

Results

Premised on the MoCA scores, patients were categorized into PSCI cohort and non-PSCI cohort. The two AIS patient cohorts did not exhibit any statistical difference in their baseline characteristics (p > 0.05). However, the serum galectin-3 level of AIS patients in the PSCI cohort was considerably elevated (p < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis illustrated that serum galectin-3 level was negatively linked to MoCA score (r = −0.396, p < 0.05). The findings from the receiver-operating curve (ROC) illustrated that the sensitivity of serum galectin-3 as a possible biomarker for diagnosing PSCI was 66%, and the specificity was 94%. The cut-off value of serum galectin-3 to diagnose PSCI is 6.3 ng/mL (OR = 5.49, p < 0.001). Upon controlling for different variables, serum galectin-3 level remained to be an independent predictor of PSCI (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Elevated serum galectin-3 levels are linked to a higher risk of PSCI. Serum galectin-3 could be a prospective biomarker for predicting PSCI.

Domont G, C. S. Nogueira F, Marko-Varga G, Sanchez A. Mapping the Melanoma Plasma Proteome (MPP) Using Single-Shot Proteomics Interfaced with the WiMT Database

Plasma analysis by mass spectrometry-based proteomics remains a challenge due to its large dynamic range of 10 orders in magnitude. We created a methodology for protein identification known as Wise MS Transfer (WiMT). Melanoma plasma samples from biobank archives were directly analyzed using simple sample preparation. WiMT is based on MS1 features between several MS runs together with custom protein databases for ID generation. This entails a multi-level dynamic protein database with different immunodepletion strategies by applying single-shot proteomics. The highest number of melanoma plasma proteins from undepleted and unfractionated plasma was reported, mapping >1200 proteins from >10,000 protein sequences with confirmed significance scoring. Of these, more than 660 proteins were annotated by WiMT from the resulting ~5800 protein sequences. We could verify 4000 proteins by MS1t analysis from HeLA extracts. The WiMT platform provided an output in which 12 previously well-known candidate markers were identified. We also identified low-abundant proteins with functions related to (i) cell signaling, (ii) immune system regulators, and (iii) proteins regulating folding, sorting, and degradation, as well as (iv) vesicular transport proteins. WiMT holds the potential for use in large-scale screening studies with simple sample preparation, and can lead to the discovery of novel proteins with key melanoma disease functions.

A study on relationship between androgenetic alopecia and cardiovascular risk using high sensitivity C-reactive protein and galectin-3 in men with early onset baldness

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the objective was to evaluate the cardiovascular and metabolic effects in men with male pattern alopecia beginning before 30 years of age.

METHODS

Total of 81 people (41 androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and 40 healthy individuals) were included in the study. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) measurement, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), galectin-3 were studied. Hamilton-Norwood scale (HNS) was used to determine the AGA types of the cases.

RESULTS

The mean age in the AGA and control groups was 30.3 ± 7.5 and 30.8 ± 6.0, respectively. Twenty-four-hour ABP measurements, hsCRP, and galectin-3 were similar in both groups. There was a positive correlation between HNS grade with age, BMI, triglyceride levels and fasting blood glucose levels in individuals with AGA. Similarly, there was a positive correlation between HNS grade with daytime pulse wave velocity and night-time reflection magnitude. A significant positive correlation was determined between hsCRP with BMI and waist circumference, and between galectin-3 with BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, HOMA-IR in individuals with AGA.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that AGA patients are similar to the normal population in terms of insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome components. However, hsCRP and galectin-3 appear to be associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors in individuals with AGA.

Redefining the Role of ADAM17 in Renal Proximal Tubular Cells and Its Implications in an Obese Mouse Model of Pre-Diabetes

Acute and chronic kidney lesions induce an increase in A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase domain 17 (ADAM17) that cleaves several transmembrane proteins related to inflammatory and fibrotic pathways. Our group has demonstrated that renal ADAM17 is upregulated in diabetic mice and its inhibition decreases renal inflammation and fibrosis. The purpose of the present study was to analyze how Adam17 deletion in proximal tubules affects different renal structures in an obese mice model. Tubular Adam17 knockout male mice and their controls were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 22 weeks. Glucose tolerance, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, renal histology, and pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic markers were evaluated. Results showed that wild-type mice fed an HFD became obese with glucose intolerance and renal histological alterations mimicking a pre-diabetic condition; consequently, greater glomerular size and mesangial expansion were observed. Adam17 tubular deletion improved glucose tolerance and protected animals against glomerular injury and prevented podocyte loss in HFD mice. In addition, HFD mice showed more glomerular macrophages and collagen accumulation, which was prevented by Adam17 deletion. Galectin-3 expression increased in the proximal tubules and glomeruli of HFD mice and ameliorated with Adam17 deletion. In conclusion, Adam17 in proximal tubules influences glucose tolerance and participates in the kidney injury in an obese pre-diabetic murine model. The role of ADAM17 in the tubule impacts on glomerular inflammation and fibrosis.

Nanoparticles To Study Lectins in Caenorhabditis elegans: Multivalent Galactose β1-4 Fucose-Functionalized Dendrimers Provide Protection from Oxidative Stress

Galectins are galactoside-binding lectins that are functional dimers or higher-order oligomers. Multivalent binding has been shown to augment the relatively low affinity of the galectins for their galactoside-binding partners, enabling the galectins to play an important role in the global remodeling of cells that occurs during the stress conditions of disease states, including heart disease and cancer. The presence of galectins in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and their galactoside-binding properties have been demonstrated, but the role of multivalent interactions for C. elegans galectins is unknown. Here, we describe the synthesis of Galβ1-4Fuc-functionalized poly(amidoamine) dendrimers and their utility in studies using C. elegans during oxidative stress. C. elegans were fed Galβ1-4Fuc-functionalized dendrimers and RNA interference to knock down lectins lec-1 and lec-10 while undergoing oxidative stress. C. elegans that were pretreated with the glycodendrimers were less susceptible to oxidative stress than untreated controls. Worms that were fed fluorescently tagged glycodendrimers and imaged indicated that the dendrimers are primarily present in the digestive tract of the worms, and uptake into the vulva and proximal gonads could also be observed in some instances. This study suggests that multivalently presented Galβ1-4Fuc can protect C. elegans from oxidative stress.

Biomarkers Utility: At the Borderline between Cardiology and Neurology

Biomarkers are important diagnostic and prognostic tools as they provide results in a short time while still being an inexpensive, reproducible and accessible method. Their well-known benefits have placed them at the forefront of research in recent years, with new and innovative discoveries being implemented. Cardiovascular and neurological diseases often share common risk factors and pathological pathways which may play an important role in the use and interpretation of biomarkers' values. Among the biomarkers used extensively in clinical practice in cardiology, hs-TroponinT, CK-MB and NTproBNP have been shown to be strongly influenced by multiple neurological conditions. Newer ones such as galectin-3, lysophosphatidylcholine, copeptin, sST2, S100B, myeloperoxidase and GDF-15 have been extensively studied in recent years as alternatives with an increased sensitivity for cardiovascular diseases, but also with significant results in the field of neurology. Thus, given their low specificity, the values interpretation must be correlated with the clinical judgment and other available investigations.

Diagnostic Significance of Serum Galectin-3 in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19-A Preliminary Study

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with hyperinflammation leading to organ injury, including respiratory failure. Galectin-3 was implicated in innate immunological response to infections and in chronic fibrosis. The aim of our preliminary study was the assessment of the diagnostic utility of serum galectin-3 in patients with COVID-19. The prospective observational study included adult patients admitted with active COVID-19 and treated in tertiary hospital between June and July 2020. The diagnosis was confirmed by the quantitative detection of nucleic acid of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in nasopharyngeal swabs. Galectin-3 was measured by enzyme immunoassay in serum samples obtained during the first five days of hospital stay. We included 70 patients aged 25 to 73 years; 90% had at least one comorbidity. During the hospital stay, 32.9% were diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia and 12.9% required treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU). Serum galectin-3 was significantly increased in patients who developed pneumonia, particularly those who required ICU admission. Positive correlations were found between galectin-3 and inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, ferritin, pentraxin-3), a marker of endothelial injury (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), and a range of tissue injury markers. Serum galectin-3 enabled the diagnosis of pneumonia with moderate diagnostic accuracy and the need for ICU treatment with high diagnostic accuracy. Our findings strengthen the hypothesis that galectin-3 may be involved in severe COVID-19. Further studies are planned to confirm the preliminary results and to verify possible associations of galectin-3 with long-term consequences of COVID-19, including pulmonary fibrosis.

Mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate renal fibrosis by galectin-3/Akt/GSK3β/Snail signaling pathway in adenine-induced nephropathy rat

BACKGROUND

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) is one of the main pathological features of various progressive renal damages and chronic kidney diseases. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been verified with significant improvement in the therapy of fibrosis diseases, but the mechanism is still unclear. We attempted to explore the new mechanism and therapeutic target of MSCs against renal fibrosis based on renal proteomics.

METHODS

TIF model was induced by adenine gavage. Bone marrow-derived MSCs was injected by tail vein after modeling. Renal function and fibrosis related parameters were assessed by Masson, Sirius red, immunohistochemistry, and western blot. Renal proteomics was analyzed using iTRAQ-based mass spectrometry. Further possible mechanism was explored by transfected galectin-3 gene for knockdown (Gal-3 KD) and overexpression (Gal-3 OE) in HK-2 cells with lentiviral vector.

RESULTS

MSCs treatment clearly decreased the expression of α-SMA, collagen type I, II, III, TGF-β1, Kim-1, p-Smad2/3, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNFα compared with model rats, while p38 MAPK increased. Proteomics showed that only 40 proteins exhibited significant differences (30 upregulated, 10 downregulated) compared MSCs group with the model group. Galectin-3 was downregulated significantly in renal tissues and TGF-β1-induced rat tubular epithelial cells and interstitial fibroblasts, consistent with the iTRAQ results. Gal-3 KD notably inhibited the expression of p-Akt, p-GSK3β and snail in TGF-β1-induced HK-2 cells fibrosis. On the contrary, Gal-3 OE obviously increased the expression of p-Akt, p-GSK3β and snail.

CONCLUSION

The mechanism of MSCs anti-renal fibrosis was probably mediated by galectin-3/Akt/GSK3β/Snail signaling pathway. Galectin-3 may be a valuable target for treating renal fibrosis.

Vascular Endothelial Galectins in Leukocyte Trafficking

Leukocyte recruitment to the site of injury is a crucial event in the regulation of an inflammatory response. Tight regulation of interactions between the endothelium and circulating leukocytes is necessary to ensure a protective response to injury does not result in inflammatory disease. Rising interest in the broad immunoregulatory roles displayed by members of the glycan-binding galectin family suggests that these proteins could be an attractive target for therapeutic intervention, since their expression is significantly altered in disease. The focus of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the role of galectins in leukocyte trafficking during inflammation and the clinical approaches being taken to target these interactions for treatment of inflammatory disease.

Galectin-3-A New Player of Kidney Damage or an Innocent Bystander in Children with a Single Kidney?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the galectin-3 (Gal-3) level in children with a congenital solitary functioning kidney (cSFK) and determine its association with common renal function parameters. The study consisted of 68 children (49 males) with cSFK. We demonstrated that children with cSFK had a lower level of galectin-3 than that of healthy subjects (p < 0.001). No significant differences in serum cystatin C (Cys C) levels between the cSFK children and the reference group were found. The subjects with cSFK and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) had significantly higher levels of Gal-3 and Cys C compared to those with normal eGFR (p < 0.05). Children with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² showed significant statistical differences between the values of area under ROC curve (AUC) for Gal-3 (AUC 0.91) and Cys C (AUC 0.96) compared to that for creatinine level (AUC 0.76). Similar analyses carried out among cSFK children with eGFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m² revealed an AUC value of 0.69 for Gal-3, 0.74 for Cys C, and 0.64 for creatinine; however, no significant superiority was shown for any of them. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses for identifying the SFK children among all participants based on the serum levels of Gal-3 and Cys C did not show any diagnostic profile (AUCs for Gal-3 and Cys C were 0.22 and 0.59, respectively). A positive correlation between the Gal-3 and Cys C concentrations was found (r = 0.39, p = 0.001). We demonstrated for the first time that Gal-3 might play an important role in the subtle kidney damage in children with cSFK. However, further prospective studies are required to confirm the potential applicability of Gal-3 as an early biomarker for kidney injury and possible progression to CKD.

Targeted disruption of galectin 3 in mice delays the first wave of spermatogenesis and increases germ cell apoptosis

Galectin 3 is a multifunctional lectin implicated in cellular proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and apoptosis. This lectin is broadly expressed in testicular somatic cells and germ cells, and is upregulated during testicular development. Since the role of galectin 3 in testicular function remains elusive, we aimed to characterize the role of galectin 3 in testicular physiology. We found that galectin 3 transgenic mice (Lgals3-/-) exhibited significantly decreased testicular weight in adulthood compared to controls. The transgenic mice also exhibited a delay to the first wave of spermatogenesis, a decrease in the number of germ cells at postnatal day 5 (P5) and P15, and defective Sertoli cell maturation. Mechanistically, we found that Insulin-like-3 (a Leydig cell marker) and enzymes involved in steroid biosynthesis were significantly upregulated in adult Lgals3-/- testes. These observations were accompanied by increased serum testosterone levels. To determine the underlying causes of the testicular atrophy, we monitored cellular apoptosis. Indeed, adult Lgals3-/- testicular cells exhibited an elevated apoptosis rate that is likely driven by downregulated Bcl-2 and upregulated Bax and Bak expression, molecules responsible for live/death cell balance. Moreover, the percentage of testicular macrophages within CD45+ cells was decreased in Lgals3-/- mice. These data suggest that galectin 3 regulates spermatogenesis initiation and Sertoli cell maturation in part, by preventing germ cells from undergoing apoptosis and regulating testosterone biosynthesis. Going forward, understanding the role of galectin 3 in testicular physiology will add important insights into the factors governing the development of germ cells and steroidogenesis and delineate novel biomarkers of testicular function.

Galectin-3 in T cell-mediated immunopathology and autoimmunity

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is the only member of galectin family able to form pentamers and heterodimers with chemokines. Its presence in various cells and tissues suggests variety of regulatory functions in physiological conditions, but increasing body of evidence indicates involvement of Gal-3 in pathological cascades of many diseases. Gal-3 exerts different, sometimes opposite, effects in various disorders or in different phases of the same disease. These differences in action of Gal-3 are related to the localization of Gal-3 in the cell, types of receptors through which it acts, or the types of cells that secrete it. As a regulator of immune response and T-cell activity, Gal-3 appears to have important role in development of autoimmunity mediated by T cells. Absence of Gal-3 in C57Bl6 mice favors Th2 mediated inflammatory myocarditis but attenuate fibrosis. Recent data also indicate Gal-3 involvement in development atherosclerosis. In pathogenesis of diabetes type 1 and autoimmune components of diabetes type 2 Gal-3 may have detrimental or protective role depending on its intracellular or extracellular localization. Gal-3 mediates autoimmune hepatic damage through activation of T-cells or natural killer T cells. Gal-3 is an important mediator in neurodevelopment, neuropathology and behavior due to its expression both in neurons and glial cells. All together, assessing the role of Gal-3 in immunopathology and autoimmunity it could be concluded that it is an important participant in pathogenesis, as well as promising monitoring marker and therapeutic target.

Evaluation of Galectin-3 Plasma Concentration in Adolescents with Ventricular Arrhythmia

Galectin-3 (G3) is a biomarker known as an inflammatory state exponent. The aim of this paper was to analyze the G3 in adolescents with ventricular arrhythmia (VES) in order to evaluate its impact on myocardial tissue preservation. The study group (SG) consisted of 25 VES adolescents. The control group (CG) was 21 healthy children. G3 was assessed in the SG and CG. In the SG electrocardiography, Holter monitoring, echocardiography and CMR were performed. The G3 in SG was 13.45 ± 11.4 ng/mL and in CG 7.2 ± 2.0 ng/mL, p < 0.001. Moderate positive correlation between the G3 and z-score of the left ventricular diameter (r = 0.47, p = 0.041) and moderate negative correlation between the G3 and the left ventricular ejection fraction in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR EF) (-0.49, p = 0.032) were found. According to the multiple linear regression analysis, CMR EF and VES were independent predictors for G3 elevation. Conclusion: Galectin-3 plasma concentration is elevated and correlates with the chosen left ventricular dysfunction parameters in adolescents suffering from ventricular arrhythmia. Further investigation is necessary to establish if elevated G3 is a useful biomarker for screening young individuals with ventricular arrhythmia who are at risk of structural cardiovascular pathology.

Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular Diseases

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactoside-binding protein belonging to the lectin family with pleiotropic regulatory activities and several physiological cellular functions, such as cellular growth, proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, cellular adhesion, and tissue repair. Inflammation, tissue fibrosis and angiogenesis are the main processes in which Gal-3 is involved. It is implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including organ fibrosis, chronic inflammation, cancer, atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This review aims to explore the connections of Gal-3 with cardiovascular diseases since they represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We herein discuss the evidence on the pro-inflammatory role of Gal-3 in the atherogenic process as well as the association with plaque features linked to lesion stability. We report the biological role and molecular mechanisms of Gal-3 in other CVDs, highlighting its involvement in the development of cardiac fibrosis and impaired myocardium remodelling, resulting in heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The role of Gal-3 as a prognostic marker of heart failure is described together with possible diagnostic applications to other CVDs. Finally, we report the tentative use of Gal-3 inhibition as a therapeutic approach to prevent cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.

Time-Dependent Fluorescence Spectroscopy to Quantify Complex Binding Interactions

Measuring the binding affinity for proteins that can aggregate or undergo complex binding motifs presents a variety of challenges. In this study, fluorescence lifetime measurements using intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence were performed to address these challenges and to quantify the binding of a series of carbohydrates and carbohydrate-functionalized dendrimers to recombinant human galectin-3. Collectively, galectins represent an important target for study; in particular, galectin-3 plays a variety of roles in cancer biology. Galectin-3 binding dissociation constants (K D) were quantified: lactoside (73 ± 4 μM), methyllactoside (54 ± 10 μM), and lactoside-functionalized G(2), G(4), and G(6)-PAMAM dendrimers (120 ± 58 μM, 100 ± 45 μM, and 130 ± 25 μM, respectively). The chosen examples showcase the widespread utility of time-dependent fluorescence spectroscopy for determining binding constants, including interactions for which standard methods have significant limitations.

The therapeutic potential of galectin-3 inhibition in fibrotic disease

Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside-binding mammalian lectin and part of the 15 member galectin family that are evolutionarily highly conserved. It is the only chimeric protein with a C-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) linked to a proline, glycine, and tyrosine rich additional N-terminal domain. Galectin-3 binds several cell surface glycoproteins via its CRD domain as well as undergoing oligomerization, via binding at the N-terminal or the CRD, resulting in the formation of a galectin-3 lattice on the cell surface. The galectin-3 lattice has been regarded as being a crucial mechanism whereby extracellular galectin-3 modulates cellular signalling by prolonging retention time or retarding lateral movement of cell surface receptors in the plasma membrane. As such galectin-3 can regulate various cellular functions such as diffusion, compartmentalization and endocytosis of plasma membrane glycoproteins and glycolipids and the functionality of membrane receptors. In multiple models of organ fibrosis, it has been demonstrated that galectin-3 is potently pro-fibrotic and modulates the activity of fibroblasts and macrophages in chronically inflamed organs. Increased galectin-3 expression also activates myofibroblasts resulting in scar formation and may therefore impact common fibrotic pathways leading to fibrosis in multiple organs. Over the last decade there has been a marked increase in the scientific literature investigating galectin-3 in a range of fibrotic diseases as well as the clinical development of new galectin-3 inhibitors. In this review we will examine the role of galectin-3 in fibrosis, the therapeutic strategies for inhibiting galectin-3 in fibrotic disease and the clinical landscape to date.

Status and prospects: personalized treatment and biomarker for airway remodeling in asthma

Airway remodeling, as a major characteristic of bronchial asthma, is critical to the progression of this disease, whereas it is of less importance in clinical management. Complying with the current stepwise treatment standard for asthma, the choice of intervention on the clinical status is primarily determined by the patient’s treatment response to airway inflammation. However, a considerable number of asthmatic patients, especially severe asthmatic subjects, remain uncontrolled though they have undergone fortified anti-inflammation treatment. In the past few years, a growing number of biologics specific to asthma phenotypes have emerged, bringing new hope for patients with refractory asthma and severe asthma. While at the same time, the effect of airway remodeling on asthma treatment has become progressively prominent. In the era of personalized treatment, it has become one of the development directions for asthma treatment to find reliable airway remodeling biomarkers to assist in asthma phenotypes classification, and to further combine multiple phenotypes to accurately treat patients. In the present study, the research status of airway remodeling in asthma is reviewed to show the basis for classifying and treating such disease. Besides, several selected airway remodeling biomarkers and possibility to use them in individual treatment are discussed as well. This study considers that continuously optimized mechanisms and emerging biomarkers for airway remodeling in the future may further support individual therapy for asthma patients.

NKp30 - A prospective target for new cancer immunotherapy strategies

Natural killer (NK) cells are an important arm of the innate immune system. They constitutively express the NKp30 receptor. NKp30-mediated responses are triggered by the binding of specific ligands e.g. tumour cell-derived B7-H6 and involve the secretion of cytotoxic mediators including TNF-α, IFN-γ, perforins and granzymes. The latter two constitute a target cell-directed response that is critical in the process of immunosurveillance. The structure of NKp30 is presented, focusing on the ligand-binding site, on the ligand-induced structural changes and on the experimental data available correlating structure and binding affinity. The translation of NKp30 structural changes to disease progression is also reviewed. NKp30 role in immunotherapy has been explored in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. However, antibodies or small ligands targeting NKp30 have not yet been developed. The data reviewed herein unveil the key structural aspects that must be considered for drug design in order to develop novel immunotherapy approaches.

Immunopathology of galectin-3: an increasingly promising target in COVID-19

The pandemic brought on by the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) has become a global health crisis, with over 22 million confirmed cases and 777,000 fatalities due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reported worldwide. The major cause of fatality in infected patients, now referred to as the "Cytokine Storm Syndrome" (CSS), is a direct result of aberrant immune activation following SARS-CoV2 infection and results in excess release of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and IL-6, by macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells. Single cell analysis has also shown significantly elevated levels of galectin 3 (Gal-3) in macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells in patients with severe COVID-19 as compared to mild disease. Inhibition of Gal-3 reduces the release of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α from macrophages in vitro, and as such may hold promise in reducing the incidence of CSS. In addition, Gal-3 inhibition shows promise in reducing transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) mediated pulmonary fibrosis, likely to be a major consequence in survivors of severe COVID-19. Finally, a key domain in the spike protein of SARS-CoV2 has been shown to bind N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), a process that may be essential to cell entry by the virus. This Neu5Ac-binding domain shares striking morphological, sequence, and functional similarities with human Gal-3. Here we provide an updated review of the literature linking Gal-3 to COVID-19 pathogenesis. Dually targeting galectins and the Neu5Ac-binding domain of SARS-CoV2 shows tentative promise in several stages of the disease: preventing viral entry, modulating the host immune response, and reducing the post-infectious incidence of pulmonary fibrosis.

Immunopathology of galectin-3: an increasingly promising target in COVID-19

The pandemic brought on by the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) has become a global health crisis, with over 22 million confirmed cases and 777,000 fatalities due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reported worldwide. The major cause of fatality in infected patients, now referred to as the "Cytokine Storm Syndrome" (CSS), is a direct result of aberrant immune activation following SARS-CoV2 infection and results in excess release of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and IL-6, by macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells. Single cell analysis has also shown significantly elevated levels of galectin 3 (Gal-3) in macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells in patients with severe COVID-19 as compared to mild disease. Inhibition of Gal-3 reduces the release of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α from macrophages in vitro, and as such may hold promise in reducing the incidence of CSS. In addition, Gal-3 inhibition shows promise in reducing transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) mediated pulmonary fibrosis, likely to be a major consequence in survivors of severe COVID-19. Finally, a key domain in the spike protein of SARS-CoV2 has been shown to bind N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), a process that may be essential to cell entry by the virus. This Neu5Ac-binding domain shares striking morphological, sequence, and functional similarities with human Gal-3. Here we provide an updated review of the literature linking Gal-3 to COVID-19 pathogenesis. Dually targeting galectins and the Neu5Ac-binding domain of SARS-CoV2 shows tentative promise in several stages of the disease: preventing viral entry, modulating the host immune response, and reducing the post-infectious incidence of pulmonary fibrosis.

Hyperinflammation and Fibrosis in Severe COVID-19 Patients: Galectin-3, a Target Molecule to Consider

COVID-19 disease have become so far the most important sanitary crisis in the XXI century. In light of the events, any clinical resource should be considered to alleviate this crisis. Severe COVID-19 cases present a so-called cytokine storm as the most life-threatening symptom accompanied by lung fibrosis. Galectin-3 has been widely described as regulator of both processes. Hereby, we present compelling evidences on the potential role of galectin-3 in COVID-19 in the regulation of the inflammatory response, fibrosis and infection progression. Moreover, we provide a strong rationale of the utility of measuring plasma galectin-3 as a prognosis biomarker for COVID-19 patients and propose that inhibition of galectin-3 represents a feasible and promising new therapeutical approach.

Evaluation of Galectin-3 as a Novel Diagnostic Biomarker in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background  Heart failure is a complex cardiovascular disease with a variety of etiologies and heterogeneity. The N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) value has limited usefulness in diagnosing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Aim  The aim of the present study is to evaluate serum Galectin-3 as a diagnostic biomarker in patients with HFpEF and to compare Galectin-3 with NT-proBNP levels. Materials and Methods  A cross-sectional case-control study including 63 cases of heart failure with ejection fraction ≥50% confirmed by echocardiography. NT-proBNP levels in serum were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and Galectin-3 levels in serum were measured by using an enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay kit. Results  The median levels of serum Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP in patients were significantly higher than those of controls (26.59 vs. 5.27 and 927 vs. 49.3, p < 0.0001). A positive correlation was observed between serum levels of Galection-3 and NT-ProBNP ( r : 0.21, p = 0.048). At cut-off values of 10.1 ng/mL and 160 pg/mL, serum Galectin-3 has 77.78% sensitivity, 95% specificity with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93, and serum NT-proBNP has 71.43% sensitivity, 100% specificity with an AUC of 0.87, respectively, for diagnosing HFpEF. The comparison of receiver operating characteristics curves showed that Galectin-3 has better AUC compared with NT-proBNP in diagnosing HFpEF. Serum Galectin-3 showed a positive correlation with NT-proBNP and lipid parameters. Conclusion  Galectin-3 with higher sensitivity and AUC can be used as a valuable biomarker for the diagnosis of HFpEF. Simultaneous testing of both Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP can further improve the detection of patients with HFpEF.

Galectin-3: Roles in Neurodevelopment, Neuroinflammation, and Behavior

There is a plethora of evidence to suggest that Galectin-3 plays an important role in normal functions of mammalian cells, as well as in different pathogenic conditions. This review highlights recent data published by researchers, including our own team, on roles of Galectin-3 in the nervous system. Here, we discuss the roles of Galectin-3 in brain development, its roles in glial cells, as well as the interactions of glial cells with other neural and invading cells in pathological conditions. Galectin-3 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. On the other hand, there is also evidence of the protective role of Galectin-3 due to its anti-apoptotic effect in target cells. Interestingly, genetic deletion of Galectin-3 affects behavioral patterns in maturing and adult mice. The results reviewed in this paper and recent development of highly specific inhibitors suggests that Galectin-3 may be an important therapeutic target in pathological conditions including the disorders of the central nervous system.

Serum and Echocardiographic Markers May Synergistically Predict Adverse Cardiac Remodeling after ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Improvement of risk scoring is particularly important for patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) who generally lack efficient monitoring of progressing heart failure. Here, we evaluated whether the combination of serum biomarkers and echocardiographic parameters may be useful to predict the remodeling-related outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and preserved LVEF (HFpEF) as compared to those with reduced LVEF (HFrEF). Echocardiographic assessment and measurement of the serum levels of NT-proBNP, sST2, galectin-3, matrix metalloproteinases, and their inhibitors (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, TIMP-1) was performed at the time of admission (1st day) and on the 10th–12th day upon STEMI onset. We found a reduction in NT-proBNP, sST2, galectin-3, and TIMP-1 in both patient categories from hospital admission to the discharge, as well as numerous correlations between the indicated biomarkers and echocardiographic parameters, testifying to the ongoing ventricular remodeling. In patients with HFpEF, NT-proBNP, sST2, galectin-3, and MMP-3 correlated with the parameters reflecting the diastolic dysfunction, while in patients with HFrEF, these markers were mainly associated with LVEF and left ventricular end-systolic volume/diameter. Therefore, the combination of the mentioned serum biomarkers and echocardiographic parameters might be useful for the prediction of adverse cardiac remodeling in patients with HFpEF.