Galectins as potential pharmacological targets in renal injuries of diverse etiology

• Published in: European journal of pharmacology Vol. 881; p. 173213
• Main Authors: Gu, Ming, Mei, Xianglin, Zhao, Yanan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.08.2020
• Subjects: Animals; Diabetes; Galectins; Galectins - antagonists & inhibitors; Galectins - metabolism; Galectins - therapeutic use; Glomerulus; Humans; Injury; Kidney; Kidney - drug effects; Kidney - metabolism; Kidney - pathology; Kidney Diseases - drug therapy; Kidney Diseases - etiology; Kidney Diseases - metabolism; Kidney Diseases - pathology; Nephropathy; Renal Agents - therapeutic use; Signal Transduction; Glomerulus; Galectins; Nephropathy; Diabetes; Injury; Kidney
• ISSN: 0014-2999; 1879-0712
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173213

Galectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins, and their importance in renal diseases of diverse etiology has been documented. Amongst different galectins, the role of galectin-3 in the pathophysiology of renal diseases has been well documented. There is an increase in galectin-3 in the circulation as well as on the kidneys in chronic kidney disease patients. The increase in galectin-3 is negatively correlated with a decrease in renal function and overall survival rate. The preclinical studies also correlate the increase in galectin-3 levels with renal dysfunction. Accordingly, scientists have exploited galectin-3 as a potential pharmacological target to improve renal functions in different preclinical models of renal injury. Apart from galectin-3, there have been few studies documenting the role of galectin-1, 8, and 9 in renal diseases. The role of galectin-1 is not clearly identified, and there have been conflicting reports regarding its role in renal diseases. Galectin-8 and 9 impart renoprotective effects as per clinical and preclinical studies, respectively. The present review discusses the role of different galectins in renal diseases of diverse etiology.