Galectin-3 in autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases

• Published in: Experimental Biology and Medicine 2015-08, Vol.240 (8), p.1019-1028
• Main Authors: de Oliveira, Felipe L, Gatto, Mariele, Bassi, Nicola, Luisetto, Roberto, Ghirardello, Anna, Punzi, Leonardo, Doria, Andrea
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Autoimmune Diseases - drug therapy; Autoimmune Diseases - immunology; Autoimmunity - drug effects; Cell Movement - drug effects; Cell Movement - immunology; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Dendritic Cells - pathology; Galectin 3 - immunology; Galectin 3 - pharmacology; Humans; Macrophages - immunology; Macrophages - pathology; Minireviews; Monocytes - immunology; Monocytes - pathology; Plasma Cells - immunology; Plasma Cells - pathology; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - pathology
• ISSN: 1535-3702; 1535-3699
• DOI: 10.1177/1535370215593826

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