Galectin-3: Action and Clinical Utility in Chronic Kidney Disease

Overview

Journal Int Urol Nephrol

Publisher Springer

Specialty Nephrology

Date 2024 Jun 11

PMID 38861106

Authors

Gwyneth Syn

Yong Qin Lee

Zhen Yu Lim

Gek Cher Chan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In recent years, Galectin-3 has been put forward as a potential biomarker of chronic kidney disease progression. This review aims to assess the clinical utility of Galectin-3 in various pathological processes leading up to chronic kidney disease such as diabetes and lupus nephritis. We conducted a systematic search on PubMed from inception to September 2023, using the search term ("Galectin-3" OR "gal-3") AND ("renal" OR "kidney"). Galectin-3 has been shown to be both pro-fibrotic and protective against renal fibrosis through various mechanisms such as apoptotic body clearance and modulation of the Wnt pathway. Studies have found associations between raised Galectin-3, incidence and progression of chronic kidney disease. In lupus nephritis, Galectin-3 may serve as a biomarker for lupus nephritis activity. Although Galectin-3 inhibits cystogenesis, there is no correlation between total kidney volume and Galectin-3 in polycystic kidney disease. The role of Galectin-3 in staging and prognostication of renal cell carcinoma is yet to be determined. Galectin-3 has potential in predicting chronic kidney disease progression, in combination with other biomarkers. However, more trials are required given that present studies demonstrate conflicting results on the relationship between Galectin-3 and clinical outcomes in chronic kidney disease patients of varying aetiologies.

Citing Articles

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Diagnostic Value of Galectin-3 in Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Pruc M, Gaca Z, Swieczkowski D, Kubica J, Galwankar S, Salak A J Clin Med. 2024; 13(15).

PMID: 39124770 PMC: 11313188. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13154504.

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