Understanding the Role of Galectin-1 in Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

• Published in: Current cardiology reviews Vol. 20; no. 1; p. 82
• Main Authors: Sotoudeheian, Mohammad Javad, Mirahmadi, Seyed-Mohamad-Sadegh, Pirhayati, Mohammad, Azarbad, Reza, Nematollahi, Soroush, Taghizadeh, Mehdi, Pazoki-Toroudi, Hamidreza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United Arab Emirates Bentham Science Publishers 01.01.2024; Benham Science Publishers
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Autocrine signalling; Biomarkers; Calcium channels (L-type); Calcium channels (voltage-gated); Calcium ions; Cardiomyocytes; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular system; Cell activation; Cell differentiation; Cell survival; Cerebral infarction; Channel gating; Congestive heart failure; Deregulation; Galectin-1; Heart diseases; Heart failure; Hypertension; Hypertrophy; Immune system; Inflammation; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes T; MAP kinase; Medical prognosis; Medicine, Cardiology; Molecular machines; Myocardial infarction; Pharmacology; Signal transduction; Survival; Cardiovascular disease; inflammation; MMP-9; extracellular matrix; cardiomyocyte; pathophysiology
• ISSN: 1573-403X; 1875-6557; 1875-6557
• DOI: 10.2174/011573403X274886231227111902

Heart failure (HF) is the fastest-growing cardiovascular condition worldwide. The immune system may play a role in the development of HF since this condition is associated with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. HF is a life-threatening disease, and there is an increasing demand for diagnostic biomarkers, prognostic factors, and therapeutic agents that can help treat it. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is the prototype galectin of the lectin family. Multiple signal transduction pathways are regulated by Ras proteins, which act as a molecular switch in cells. Gal-1 regulates T and B cell activation, differentiation, and survival. Gal-1 has been linked to inflammation. Activated T cells produce Gal-1 through an autocrine apoptotic mechanism involving MEK1/ERK and p38 MAPK. In the cardiovascular system, atherosclerosis is facilitated by Gal-1. Heart disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension, and stroke can be caused by atherosclerotic plaque. HF and heart hypertrophy are caused by decreased cardiac L-type Ca 2+ channel activity. Deregulation of Gal-1 and CaV1.2 in pathological cardiac hypertrophy suggests a possible target for anti-hypertrophic therapy. Rat hypertrophic cardiomyocytes express Gal-1 and CaV1.2 channels simultaneously. It has been reported that diastolic dysfunction (DD) is associated with elevated Gal-1 levels. The high Gal-1 level in subjects led to the lowest cumulative survival as a composite endpoint. Incidences of HF, DD, and serum Gal-1 levels correlated significantly. The ejection fraction was negatively correlated with Gal-1 and CRP concentrations. Based on two different approaches in mice and humans, Gal-1 was identified as a potential mediator of HF.