The Role of Galectins in Asthma Pathophysiology: A Comprehensive Review

Autor: Andrea Portacci, Ilaria Iorillo, Leonardo Maselli, Monica Amendolara, Vitaliano Nicola Quaranta, Silvano Dragonieri, Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Current Issues in Molecular Biology, Vol 46, Iss 5, Pp 4271-4285 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1467-3045
1467-3037
DOI: 10.3390/cimb46050260
Popis: Galectins are a group of β-galactoside-binding proteins with several roles in immune response, cellular adhesion, and inflammation development. Current evidence suggest that these proteins could play a crucial role in many respiratory diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, and respiratory infections. From this standpoint, an increasing body of evidence have recognized galectins as potential biomarkers involved in several aspects of asthma pathophysiology. Among them, galectin-3 (Gal-3), galectin-9 (Gal-9), and galectin-10 (Gal-10) are the most extensively studied in human and animal asthma models. These galectins can affect T helper 2 (Th2) and non-Th2 inflammation, mucus production, airway responsiveness, and bronchial remodeling. Nevertheless, while higher Gal-3 and Gal-9 concentrations are associated with a stronger degree of Th-2 phlogosis, Gal-10, which forms Charcot–Leyden Crystals (CLCs), correlates with sputum eosinophilic count, interleukin-5 (IL-5) production, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) secretion. Finally, several galectins have shown potential in clinical response monitoring after inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and biologic therapies, confirming their potential role as reliable biomarkers in patients with asthma.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals