Do galectins play a role in venous thrombosis? a review.
Galectins are a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins that have a high affinity to galactosides on cell surfaces and extra cellular glycoproteins. They are involved in a variety of biological functions, including modulation of cell apoptosis, cell activation and inflammation. Our laboratory has recently identified galectin-3 binding protein (Gal-3BP) as being up-regulated in a microparticle proteomics analysis for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) patients compared to negative controls. P-selectin, another glycoprotein involved in thrombus propagation, has proven a promising target for DVT management and has been widely studied by our group. Galectins are involved in P-selectin expression and can potentially be implicated in the venous thrombogenesis process. The function of galectins, their role in inflammation and thrombosis as well as their potential implications as a new pharmacological target for DVT management are reviewed in this manuscript.
Diaz
Jose A
JA
Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Jobst Vascular Research Laboratories, Section of Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. josediaz@med.umich.edu
Ramacciotti
Eduardo
E
Wakefield
Thomas W
TW
D000818:Animals; D037161:Galectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D014680:Veins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000378:metabolism*
D037161:Galectins