Serum Galectin-3 as a Non-Invasive Marker for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a serious liver disease associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Galectin-3, an inflammatory and fibrotic molecule, has elevated circulating levels in patients with chronic liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aims to clarify whether galectin-3 can differentiate between patients with IBD, PSC, and PSC-IBD. Our study measured serum galectin-3 levels in 38 healthy controls, 55 patients with IBD, and 22 patients with PSC (11 patients had underlying IBD and 11 patients did not), alongside the urinary galectin-3 of these patients and 18 controls. Serum and urinary galectin-3 levels in IBD patients were comparable to those in controls. Among IBD patients, those with high fecal calprotectin, indicating severe disease, exhibited lower serum and elevated urinary galectin-3 levels compared to those with low calprotectin levels. Serum galectin-3 levels were inversely correlated with C-reactive protein levels. PSC patients displayed higher serum and urinary galectin-3 levels than IBD patients, with the highest serum levels observed in PSC patients with coexisting IBD. There was no correlation between serum and urinary galectin-3 levels and laboratory indicators of liver injury in both IBD and PSC patients. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that serum and urinary galectin-3 levels can distinguish IBD from PSC patients, and also reveals higher serum galectin-3 levels in PSC-IBD patients compared to those with isolated PSC.

Serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer and galectin-3 levels in adult-onset Still's disease and their association with cytokines.

Background: Autoinflammation with cytokine dysregulation may be implicated in the pathophysiology of adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD); however, the relationship between galectins and cytokines in patients with active AOSD remains unknown. We aimed to examine the relationship between circulating cytokines/chemokines and galectin-3 (Gal-3) or its ligand, Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi), in Japanese patients with AOSD. Methods: We recruited 44 consecutive patients diagnosed with AOSD according to the Yamaguchi criteria, 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as disease controls, and 27 healthy participants. Serum M2BPGi levels were directly measured using a HISCL M2BPGi reagent kit and an automatic immunoanalyzer (HISCL-5000). Serum Gal-3 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The serum levels of 69 cytokines were analyzed in patients with AOSD using a multi-suspension cytokine array. We performed a cluster analysis of each cytokine expressed in patients with AOSD to identify specific molecular networks. Results: Significant increases in the serum concentrations of Gal-3 and M2BPGi were found in the serum of patients with AOSD compared with patients with RA and healthy participants (both p <0.001). There were significant positive correlations between serum Gal-3 levels and AOSD disease activity score (Pouchot score, r=0.66, p <0.001) and serum ferritin levels. However, no significant correlations were observed between serum M2BPGi levels and AOSD disease activity scores (Pouchot score, r = 0.32, p = 0.06) or serum ferritin levels. Furthermore, significant correlations were observed between the serum levels of Gal-3 and various inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-18, in patients with AOSD. Immunosuppressive treatment in patients with AOSD significantly reduced serum Gal-3 and M2BPGi levels (p = 0.03 and 0.004, respectively). Conclusions: Although both Gal-3 and M2BPGi were elevated in patients with AOSD, only Gal-3 was a useful biomarker for predicting disease activity in AOSD. Our findings suggest that circulating Gal-3 reflects the inflammatory component of AOSD, which corresponds to proinflammatory cytokine induction through inflammasome activation cascades.

Prognosis value of galectin-3 in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: a meta-analysis.

Background: Accurate prediction and assessment of myocardial fibrosis (MF) and adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) are crucial in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Several studies indicate that galectin-3 (gal-3) as a promising prognostic predictor in patients with DCM. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for relevant studies up to August 2023. The hazard ratios (HRs) of gal-3 for MACEs in DCM patients, and for MACEs in LGE(+) versus LGE(-) groups, were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA SE 14.0 software. Results: Seven studies, encompassing 945 patients, met the eligibility criteria. In DCM patients, abnormally elevated gal-3 levels were indicative of an increased MACEs risk (HR = 1.10, 95% CI [1.00-1.21], I2 = 65.7%, p = 0.008). Compared with the LGE(-) group, the level of gal-3 in LGE(+) group was higher (HR = 1.12, 95% CI [1.05-1.19], I2 = 31.4%, p = 0.233), and the combination of gal-3 and LGE significantly improved the prediction of MACEs. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of all results. Conclusions: This study's findings suggest that elevated gal-3 levels significantly correlate with increased MACE risk in DCM, highlighting its potential as a biomarker. However, significant heterogeneity among studies necessitates further research to ascertain gal-3's predictive and diagnostic value in DCM prognosis, particularly in conjunction with LGE. PROSPERO ID: CRD42023471199.

Can Galectin-3 be a reliable predictive biomarker for post-COVID syndrome development?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Reliable biomarkers able to predict post-COVID syndrome development are still lacking. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between Galectin-3 blood concentrations and the development of post-COVID syndrome. METHODS: We performed a single-center, prospective, observational study, enrolling 437 consecutive patients attending our outpatient clinic for the post-COVID assessment. For each patient, we recorded the main clinical, functional and radiological findings. We also dosed several blood biomarkers which have been related to COVID-19 disease, including Galectin-3. We performed Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and multivariate regression analysis to evaluate the predictive performance of Galectin-3 for post-COVID syndrome development. RESULTS: Among the blood biomarkers tested, Galectin-3 resulted the only one correlated with the outcome, although the insufficient performance of the Cox regression model from a statistical standpoint. Correlation coefficients and ROC curves analysis revealed the close relationship between Galectin-3 levels and the time passed from the acute phase of COVID-19 disease, suggesting a possible predictive role for this biomarker when dosed from 60 to 120 days after the infection. CONCLUSIONS: Galectin-3 could play an important role as predictive biomarker for COVID-19 sequelae, but its evaluation must be carefully planned along the follow up to avoid misinterpretations.

Diagnostic Value of Galectin-3 in Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background and Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by acute exacerbations. Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress play an important role in the pathogenesis of COPD. Exacerbations in COPD reduce the quality of life and are associated with rapid disease progression. Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside-binding lectin of approximately 30 kDa with pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic properties. This study aims to analyze the efficacy of serum galectin-3 in predicting exacerbations in COPD patients. Materials and Methods: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of all patients were recorded and blood samples were collected. A total of 58 consecutive COPD patients, including 28 patients (19 male and 9 female) with stable COPD and 30 patients (23 male and 7 female) with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), were included in the study. Results: Serum galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in the AECOPD group compared to the stable COPD group. A logistic regression analysis revealed that increased galectin-3 levels and disease duration were independent predictors of COPD exacerbation (OR = 5.322, 95% CI: 1.178-24.052, p = 0.03; and OR = 1.297, 95% CI: 1.028-1.635, p = 0.028; respectively). Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrated that Galectin-3 was a strong and independent predictor of exacerbations in COPD patients.

Galectin-10 in serum extracellular vesicles reflects asthma pathophysiology.

BACKGROUND: Novel biomarkers (BMs) are urgently needed for bronchial asthma (BA) with various phenotypes and endotypes. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify novel BMs reflecting tissue pathology from serum extracellular vesicles (EVs). METHODS: We performed data-independent acquisition of serum EVs from 4 healthy controls, 4 noneosinophilic asthma (NEA) patients, and 4 eosinophilic asthma (EA) patients to identify novel BMs for BA. We confirmed EA-specific BMs via data-independent acquisition validation in 61 BA patients and 23 controls. To further validate these findings, we performed data-independent acquisition for 6 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps and 7 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. RESULTS: We identified 3032 proteins, 23 of which exhibited differential expression in EA. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed that protein signatures from each phenotype reflected disease characteristics. Validation revealed 5 EA-specific BMs, including galectin-10 (Gal10), eosinophil peroxidase, major basic protein, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase. The potential of Gal10 in EVs was superior to that of eosinophils in terms of diagnostic capability and detection of airway obstruction. In rhinosinusitis patients, 1752 and 8413 proteins were identified from EVs and tissues, respectively. Among 11 BMs identified in EVs and tissues from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, 5 (including Gal10 and eosinophil peroxidase) showed significant correlations between EVs and tissues. Gal10 release from EVs was implicated in eosinophil extracellular trapped cell death in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: Novel BMs such as Gal10 from serum EVs reflect disease pathophysiology in BA and may represent a new target for liquid biopsy approaches.

Galectin-3 levels in children with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic disease in which airway obstruction, infection, and inflammation play a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of CF lung disease. The carbohydrate-binding protein Galectin-3 is increased in several inflammatory and fibrotic diseases and has recently been forwarded as a biomarker in these diseases. We aimed to define the role of serum Galectin-3 in children with CF by comparison with healthy subjects. This is a cross-sectional, case-control study. 143 CF and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood and sputum concentrations of Galectins-3, interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-8, and neutrophil elastase (NE) were determined with commercial ELISA kits. There was no significant difference between the groups in age and gender (p = 0.592, p = 0.613, respectively). Serum Galectin-3 and NE concentrations were higher in the patient group than in healthy controls (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences between groups according to IL-17A and IL-8 concentrations. Serum Galectin-3 was correlated with age (r = 0.289, p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.493, p < 0.001) in children with CF. Sputum Galectin-3 levels are negatively correlated with percent predictive forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (r = - 0.297, p = 0.029), FEV1 z-score, (r = - 0.316, p = 0.020), percent predictive forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = - 0.347, p = 0.010), and FVC z-score (r = - 0.373, p = 0.006).   Conclusion: The study shows that serum Galectin-3 levels increased in clinically stable CF patients, and serum Galectin-3 response may depend on age, gender, and BMI. The sputum Galectin-3 was found to be negatively correlated with patients' lung functions. What is known: • Galectin-3 is a key regulator of chronic inflammation in the lung, liver, kidney, and tumor microenvironment. What is new: • Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) have higher serum Galectin-3 concentrations than healthy children. • Serum Galectin-3 expression influenced by age, BMI, and gender in children with CF.

Serum Galectin-1, Galectin-9, and YKL-40 levels in bipolar disorder and their relationship with cognitive functions.

PURPOSE: The number of studies conducted on the role of neuroinflammation in the etiopathogenesis of bipolar disorder has been increasing in recent years. The role of Galectin-1, Galectin-9, and YKL-40, which are considered to play roles in neuroinflammation and the etiopathogenesis of bipolar disorder, and the relationship of these parameters with cognitive functions were investigated in the present study. METHOD: Serum Galectin-1, Galectin-9, and YKL-40 levels were measured with the ELISA Method in 64 bipolar euthymic patients and 64 healthy controls. The Stroop and trail-making tests were administered to assess cognitive functions in all participants. RESULTS: Serum Galectin-1, Galectin-9, and YKL-40 levels were statistically and significantly lower in the patient group when compared to the healthy control group. The scores of the Stroop test and trail-making tests were statistically higher in the patient group than in the healthy control group. There was a weak and positive correlation between serum Galectin-1, Galectin-9, and YKL-40 levels and cognitive performance in all participants. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Statistically significant low levels of serum Galectin-1, Galectin-9, and YKL-40 detected in the patient group suggest that these parameters have important roles in neuroinflammation. The statistically higher Stroop and trail-making test scores of the patient group compared to the control group indicates that the cognitive performance of the patient group was weaker. Also, the positive correlation between Galectin-1, Galectin-9, and YKL-40 levels and cognitive performance suggests that these molecules may have a neuroprotective role. We think that the present study will contribute to this field where there is very limited data in the literature.

Prognostic significance of serum galectin-3 in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: There are no major tools that could predict disease severity in COVID-19. The aim of this study is to evaluate if serum galectin-3 levels can identify disease progression in COVID-19. METHODS: Patients that were hospitalized due to COVID-19 between March and June 2020 were included in this cross-sectional prospective study. Baseline demographic and clinical data in addition to levels of serum parameters including galectin-3 were measured at the time of hospital admission. Patients with COVID-19 were categorized into two groups (non-severe and severe illness). The need for ICU during hospital stay, duration from hospital admission to the transfer to the ICU, and the total length of hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients were included in the study and among these, 64 patients formed the severe illness group whereas 111 comprised the non-severe illness group. There was statistically significant difference in terms of galectin-3 levels between groups (1.07 ± 0.75 vs 0.484 ± 0.317, p < 0.0001, respectively). Our results showed that galectin-3, IL-6 and CRP levels at admission were independent risk factors associated with transfer to the ICU whereas only galectin-3 was an independent factor for the need for advanced ventilatory support. Also, galectin-3 and IL-6 were independent risk factors related to in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results indicated that galectin-3 had moderate power in outlining disease severity and the need for ICU transfer throughout the clinical course in COVID-19.

Serum and urinary galectin-9 and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a type I interferon (IFN) signature, and traditional methods for its measurement like gene expression analysis are cumbersome for routine use. Thus, we aimed to study galectin-9 as a biomarker and compared it with a validated marker, C-X-C motifchemokine ligand 10(CXCL-10). METHODS: Ninety-seven patients with SLE (26 years; 89 females) were included and stratified based on renal involvement and activity into - active (SLEDAI > 4) renal (35), active non-renal (32) and inactive renal subgroups (30) along with 20 healthy controls (HC, 25 years; 15 females). The median disease duration was 24 months (6-48), and SLEDAI 2K was 9 (2-15). Serum and urine galectin-9 and CXCL-10 levels were measured by ELISA. Urine levels were normalized with spot urine creatinine values. Follow-up serum and urine galectin-9 levels were measured for those in the active renal group at 6 months. RESULTS: Patients with SLE had higher serum galectin-9 (5.6 vs 1.7 µg/mL, p = .0001) but not urine galectin-9 (0.52 vs 0.32 µg, p = .7) levels as compared to HC. Serum galectin-9 but not urine galectin-9 was higher in patients with active as compared to inactive lupus (12.9 - active renal, 16.7 - active non-renal vs 3.57 µg/mL, p = .04 and .005). Serum CXCL-10 (0.16 vs 0.05, p = .01) and urine CXCL-10 (0 vs 0, p = .01) were both significantly higher in the SLE group as compared with HC. Serum but not urine CXCL-10 was higher in the active as compared to inactive lupus (0.2 - active renal, 0.3 - active non-renal vs 0.08 µg/mL, p = .9 and .02). Serum galectin-9 showed a modest correlation with CXCL-10 0.4 (0.2-0.6), whereas none was found between their urine levels.Serum galectin-9 and CXCL-10 showed a moderate positive correlation with SLEDAI 2K. Serum galectin-9 showed a greater AUC than CXCL-10 (0.77 vs 0.67) in differentiating active from inactive SLE, and both tested together had the best AUC of 0.82. However, urinary levels had no association with SLEDAI 2K or renal SLEDAI. In a subset of patients with active renal disease, serum galectin-9 but not urine levels declined significantly after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Serum galectin-9 is a good marker of lupus activity; however, it does not differentiate between active renal and active non-renal disease. It performs slightly better than CXCL-10. Urinary galectin-9 does not reflect renal activity.

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.

Galectin-3 levels and inflammatory response in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

PURPOSE: Obesity, a low-grade systemic inflammatory disease, causes inflammation in metabolic tissues. Galectin-3(Gal-3) is one of the lectin molecules involved in inflammatory processes. We evaluated the possible relationship between Gal-3 level and the metabolic inflammatory process before and after obesity surgery. METHODS: One hundred participants were included in the study and classified as normal weight, overweight, Class I, II, and III obese. Class III obese group underwent bariatric surgery and evaluated in the 3rd and 6th months after surgery. Glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), Gal-3, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, adiponectin, and leptin levels were determined. RESULTS: Gal-3 levels were higher in Class III obese compared to the normal weight group. Postoperative leptin and hsCRP levels were decreased significantly, but the decrease in IL-6 and Gal-3 levels were not significant. Postoperative increased adiponectin and IL-10 levels were significant. Gal-3 was found significantly higher in insulin resistant group. The correlation between Gal-3 with BMI, adiponectin, leptin, hsCRP levels, and HOMA-IR was found weak. CONCLUSION: These findings might support the fact that Gal-3 is one of the molecules involved in the linkage between insulin resistance and meta-inflammation in morbid obese.

Prognostic value of galectin-3 and right ventricular function for long-term mortality in heart failure patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Recently, associations between the biomarker galectin-3 and numerous pathological processes involved in heart failure (HF) and right ventricular (RV) function have been observed. We aimed to assess the long-term prognostic ability of galectin-3 and RV function parameters for all-cause mortality in HF patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We prospectively studied 63 symptomatic HF patients with a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 35%. The median serum galectin-3 concentration was 13.4 ng/mL (IQR 11.05, 17.15). A detailed assessment of LV and RV geometry and function was performed with echocardiography. CRT defibrillator implantation was achieved in all patients without major complications. The follow-up lasted 5 years. In the multivariable Cox regression model, independent predictors for all-cause mortality were log baseline galectin-3 and baseline RV function expressed as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion with HR 2.96 (p = 0.037) and HR 0.88 (p = 0.023), respectively. Analysis of subgroups defined by galectin-3 concentration and CRT response showed that patients with high baseline galectin-3 concentrations and a lack of response to CRT had a significantly lower probability of survival. In our patient cohort, the baseline galectin-3 concentration and RV function were independent predictors of long-term all-cause mortality in HFrEF patients following CRT implantation.

Relationship between Circulating Galectin-3, Systemic Inflammation, and Protein-Energy Wasting in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients.

Galectin-3 reportedly participates in the inflammatory process that causes insulin resistance in the target tissues. However, the role of high plasma galectin-3 levels as an indicator of protein-energy wasting (PEW) in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis remains unclear. This study included 240 hemodialysis patients (64.5 [55.3-74.0] years, 35.8% women) from a tertiary medical center. A baseline assessment of demographic and clinical data, biochemical parameters, and body composition was conducted. Plasma galectin-3 and other biomarkers were measured using a multiplex bead-based immunoassay. Participants were then divided into two subgroups depending on the median value of plasma galectin-3. Malnutrition was identified using the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and the criteria of the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism. Independent risk factors for elevated plasma galectin-3 and malnutrition were identified by multivariate logistic regression. The high galectin-3 group was more likely to be older, have lower lean tissue mass and GNRI scores, be diagnosed with PEW, dialyze through a tunneled catheter, and have higher circulating IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 concentrations than the low galectin-3 group. After multivariate adjustment, only low mean arterial pressure, dialyzing with tunneled cuffed catheters, and elevated systemic inflammatory markers correlated with high galectin-3 levels. Plasma galectin-3 concentrations also increased significantly in hemodialysis patients with PEW. However, compared with other commonly used nutritional indicators, galectin-3 did not show superiority in predicting PEW. Although the plasma galectin-3 levels correlated with PEW severity, this correlation disappeared after adjustment for potential confounding variables (OR, 1.000; 95% CI, 0.999-1.001). In conclusion, plasma galectin-3 is a valuable biomarker for systemic inflammation but is less prominent for PEW in patients with maintenance hemodialysis. Further identification of novel biomarkers is required to detect patients at risk for malnutrition and implement appropriate interventions.

Galectin-3 as prognostic biomarker in patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory failure.

OBJECTIVES: Galectin-3 is ß-galactoside-binding lectin with several roles in immune-inflammatory response. To date, there is no evidence of Galectin-3 role as a prognostic biomarker in COVID-19 disease. The aim of this study is to clarify the prognostic role of Galectin-3 in patients with COVID 19 acute respiratory failure. METHODS: We enrolled 156 consecutive patients with COVID-19 disease. Routine laboratory test, arterial blood gas, chest X-ray or Computed Tomography and Galectin-3 dosage were performed. The primary outcome was to assess Galectin-3 predictive power for 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were 30-day Intensive Care Unit admission and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome stratification according to Galectin-3 dosage. We performed Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests for continuous variables comparison. Fisher's exact test or Chi-square test were used for categorical variables analysis. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves estimated Galectin-3 predictive power for the endpoints. With a fixed cut-off of 35.3 ng/ml, Kaplan-Meier with Log-Rank test and Cox Regression were performed to assess mortality and Intensive Care Unit admission risk. RESULTS: Galectin-3 correlated with many other prognostic predictors tested in our analysis. Moreover, patients with serum levels of Galectin-3 above 35.3 ng/ml had increased risk for mortality, Intensive Care Unit admission and severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates the role of Galectin-3 as a predictor of mortality, Intensive Care Unit access and ARDS stratification in patients with COVID 19 acute respiratory failure.

Serum Galectin-3 Level Is Positively Associated with Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3 to 5.

Galectin-3, which is a novel biomarker of cardiovascular stress and related to inflammation, could predict adverse cardiovascular events. However, its relationship with endothelial function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum galectin-3 levels and endothelial function in patients with stages 3-5 CKD. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 130 patients. Serum galectin-3 levels were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The endothelial function, demonstrated as a vascular reactivity index (VRI), was measured noninvasively through digital thermal monitoring test. Then, we sorted the patients into poor, intermediate, and good vascular reactivity (VRI < 1.0, 1.0 ≤ VRI < 2.0, and VRI ≥ 2.0), accounting for 24 (18.5%), 44 (33.8%), and 62 (47.7%) patients, respectively. As the VRI decreased, the serum galectin-3 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels significantly increased. The galectin-3 value positively correlated with the CRP value but negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate. In multivariable stepwise linear regression analysis, serum log-transformed galectin-3 level and log-transformed CRP were significantly negatively associated with VRI values. Therefore, galectin-3 together with CRP is associated with VRI values and is a potential endothelial function modulator and a valuable biomarker of endothelial dysfunction in patients with CKD.

The Role of Galectin-3 and ST2 in Cardiology: A Short Review.

Galectin-3 is a lectin that binds beta-galactosides. It is involved in cardiac remodeling and fibrosis through the activation of macrophages and fibroblasts. ST2 is secreted by myocardial cells due to cardiac overload. These two biomarkers have been traditionally studied in the field of heart failure to guide medical therapy and detect the progression of the disease. Nevertheless, there are novel evidences that connect galectin-3 and ST2 with coronary heart disease and, specifically, with atrial fibrillation. The aim of this article is to concisely review the diagnostic and prognostic role of galectin-3 and ST2 in different cardiac diseases.

Plasma galectin-9 as a predictor of adverse non-AIDS events in persons with chronic HIV during suppressive antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: People with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) still experience an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, presumably driven by chronic inflammation, yet predictors of discrete or combinatorial outcomes remain unclear. Galectin-9 (Gal-9), a driver of both inflammatory and immunosuppressive responses, has been associated with HIV disease progression and multimorbidity. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether plasma Gal-9 levels are associated with the occurrence of specific non-AIDS events (NAEs) in PWH initiating ART. DESIGN: We performed a nested case-control study of PWH enrolled from 2001 to 2009 and evaluated pre-ART (66 cases, 97 controls), a year post-ART (112 cases, 211 controls), and immediately preceding an event (89 cases, 162 controls). Events included myocardial infarction/stroke, malignancy, serious bacterial infection, or death. METHODS: Plasma Gal-9 levels were assessed by ELISA. Conditional logistic regression assessed associations with NAEs and Spearman's correlations compared Gal-9 with other previously assessed biomarkers. RESULTS: NAEs occurred at a median of 2.8 years (1.7-4.6) after ART initiation. Higher Gal-9 levels were associated with increased risk of NAEs at year 1 and preevent [odds ratio (OR) per 1 interquartile range = 1.4-1.6; all P < 0.05], specifically myocardial infarction/stroke at year 1 (OR = 1.9; P = 0.029). Gal-9 also correlated with multiple inflammatory and immune activation predictors of NAEs (all timepoints). CONCLUSION: Elevated Gal-9 levels are predictive of deleterious NAEs, particularly cardiovascular complications. Whether the Gal-9 pathway, potentially binding to its putative ligands, is active in the pathogenesis of these outcomes warrants further investigation to determine if targeting Gal-9 may slow or reverse the risk of NAEs.

Potential Biomarkers in Atrial Fibrillation: Insight Into Their Clinical Significance.

ABSTRACT: In risk-stratifying patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), physicians rely heavily on clinical parameters that provide risk scores and determine treatment strategies. There has been increasing research on potential biomarkers in the blood that could more accurately determine both risk of complications in AF and risk of incidence of AF. This review highlights the clinical significance of 5 novel biomarkers that have been shown to be linked to AF. These biomarkers are carbohydrate antigen 125, galectin-3, growth differentiation factor-15, a member of the interleukin 1 receptor family, IL1RL1 (ST2), and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide.