<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Galectin-3, a unique chimaera-type member of the lectin family, displays a wide range of activities. This versatile molecule is involved in fundamental biological processes, including cell proliferation, cell-cell adhesion, apoptosis and immune responses.This review is aimed at providing a general overview of the biological actions and diverse effects of Galectin-3 in many pathological conditions, with a specific focus on autoimmunity, inflammation and tumour progression. We report herein that Galectin-3 exerts deleterious functions determined by promotion of tumour progression and liver inflammation or aggravation of T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, Galectin-3 exhibits a protective role in metabolic abnormalities and primary biliary cirrhosis.The paradoxical “yin and yang” functions of Galectin-3 depend not only on its tissue and cellular localization but also on its availability, glycosylation status and the expression level of its ligands.</abstract>

Galectin-3, a unique chimaera-type member of the lectin family, displays a wide range of activities. This versatile molecule is involved in fundamental biological processes, including cell proliferation, cell-cell adhesion, apoptosis and immune responses.This review is aimed at providing a general overview of the biological actions and diverse effects of Galectin-3 in many pathological conditions, with a specific focus on autoimmunity, inflammation and tumour progression. We report herein that Galectin-3 exerts deleterious functions determined by promotion of tumour progression and liver inflammation or aggravation of T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, Galectin-3 exhibits a protective role in metabolic abnormalities and primary biliary cirrhosis.The paradoxical “yin and yang” functions of Galectin-3 depend not only on its tissue and cellular localization but also on its availability, glycosylation status and the expression level of its ligands.

The Two Faces of Galectin-3: Roles in Various Pathological Conditions

Centre for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac,

Experimental and Applied Biomedical Research (EABR)

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"The Two Faces of Galectin-3: Roles in Various Pathological Conditions"}

Galectin-3, a unique chimaera-type member of the lectin family, displays a wide range of activities. This versatile molecule is involved in fundamental...

The Two Faces of Galectin-3: Roles in Various Pathological Conditions

Published Online: Sep 24, 2016

Page range: 187 - 198

Received: Dec 23, 2015

Accepted: Jan 10, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjecr-2016-0011

Keywords
galectin-3, tumour, inflammation, autoimmune disease

© 2016 Gordana D. Radosavljevic et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Two Faces of Galectin-3: Roles in Various Pathological Conditions

Published Online: Sep 24, 2016

Page range: 187 - 198

Received: Dec 23, 2015

Accepted: Jan 10, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjecr-2016-0011

Keywordsgalectin-3, tumour, inflammation, autoimmune disease

© 2016 Gordana D. Radosavljevic et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
galectin-3, tumour, inflammation, autoimmune disease