title: Functions of galectin-3 and its role in fibrotic diseases.
abstract: Fibrotic diseases occur in a variety of organs and lead to continuous organ injury, function decline, and even failure. Currently effective treatment options are limited. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a pleiotropic lectin that plays an important role in cell proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Accumulating evidence indicates that Gal-3 activates a variety of profibrotic factors, promotes fibroblast proliferation and transformation, and mediates collagen production. Recent studies have defined key roles for Gal-3 in fibrogenesis in diverse organ systems, including liver, kidney, lung, and myocardial. To help set the stage for future research, we review recent advances about the role played by Gal-3 in fibrotic diseases. Herein we discuss the potential profibrotic role of Gal-3, inhibition of which may represent a promising therapeutic strategy against tissue fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China (L.L., J.L.); and Pharmaceutical Preparation Section, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China (J.G.).
authors.forename: Liu-cheng
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China (L.L., J.L.); and Pharmaceutical Preparation Section, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China (J.G.) gaojianayfy@163.com lijun@ahmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China (L.L., J.L.); and Pharmaceutical Preparation Section, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China (J.G.) gaojianayfy@163.com lijun@ahmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D037502:Galectin 3