title: Galectin-3 and the skin.
abstract: Galectin-3 is highly expressed in epithelial cells including keratinocytes and is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases by affecting the functions of immune cells. For example, galectin-3 can contribute to atopic dermatitis (AD) by promoting polarization toward a Th2 immune response by regulating dendritic cell (DC) and T cell functions. In addition, galectin-3 may be involved in the development of contact hypersensitivity by regulating the migratory capacity of antigen presenting cells. Galectin-3 may act as a regulator of epithelial tumor progression and development through various signaling pathways, such as inhibiting keratinocyte apoptosis through regulation of the activation status of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and activated protein kinase B (AKT). Galectin-3 is detected at different stages of melanoma development. In contrast, a marked decrease in the expression of galectin-3 is observed in non-melanoma skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Galectin-3 may play an important role in tumor cell growth, apoptosis, cell motility, invasion, and metastasis. Galectin-3 may be a novel therapeutic target for a variety of skin diseases.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95816, United States.
authors: Larissa
authors: L
authors: Larsen
authors: Huan-Yuan
authors: HY
authors: Chen
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Saegusa
authors: Fu-Tong
authors: FT
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000209:etiology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000209:etiology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000209:etiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D037502:Galectin 3