title: Galectin-3 in cardiac remodeling and heart failure.
abstract: Galectin-3 is a member of the galectin family, which consists of animal lectins that bind beta-galactosides. Recently, a role for galectin-3 in the pathophysiology of heart failure has been suggested. It was observed that galectin-3 is specifically upregulated in decompensated heart failure compared with compensated heart failure in animal models of heart failure. This has been associated with activation of fibroblasts and macrophages, which are a hallmark of cardiac remodeling. Therefore, galectin-3 may be a culprit biomarker in heart failure. Initial clinical observations indicate that galectin-3 may be a useful biomarker for decompensated heart failure, with incremental value over well-used "pressure-dependent" biomarkers, such as B-type natriuretic peptide. Future studies should focus on galectin-3 biology to better address the usefulness of galectin-3 as a biomarker and probe the usefulness of anti-galectin-3 therapy in treating heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Division of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, Groningen, 9700 RB, The Netherlands. r.a.de.boer@thorax.umcg.nl
authors.forename: Rudolf A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Boer
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Dirk J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: van Veldhuisen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D037502:Galectin 3