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 fib...
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doaj-33963ed6d26e47f585ad0176ad6d04392020-12-04T00:05:18ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672020-12-01219232923210.3390/ijms21239232Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular DiseasesValeria Blanda0Umberto Marcello Bracale1Maria Donata Di Taranto2Giuliana Fortunato3Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, ItalyDipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, ItalyDipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, ItalyDipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, ItalyGalectin-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.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/23/9232Galectin-3atherosclerosiscardiovascular diseasesbiomarkerinflammation |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Valeria Blanda Umberto Marcello Bracale Maria Donata Di Taranto Giuliana Fortunato |
spellingShingle |
Valeria Blanda Umberto Marcello Bracale Maria Donata Di Taranto Giuliana Fortunato Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular Diseases International Journal of Molecular Sciences Galectin-3 atherosclerosis cardiovascular diseases biomarker inflammation |
author_facet |
Valeria Blanda Umberto Marcello Bracale Maria Donata Di Taranto Giuliana Fortunato |
author_sort |
Valeria Blanda |
title |
Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular Diseases |
title_short |
Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular Diseases |
title_full |
Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular Diseases |
title_fullStr |
Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular Diseases |
title_full_unstemmed |
Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular Diseases |
title_sort |
galectin-3 in cardiovascular diseases |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
issn |
1661-6596 1422-0067 |
publishDate |
2020-12-01 |
description |
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. |
topic |
Galectin-3 atherosclerosis cardiovascular diseases biomarker inflammation |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/23/9232 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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1724400844874448896 |