title: Galectin-1 in stable liver transplant recipients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The achievement of a state of tolerance and minimization of the immunosuppressive load form part of the "Holy Grail" in solid organ transplantation. Galectin-1 recently has been described to be involved in the maintenance of a tolerant environment, but there is no evidence of its role in human liver transplantation. The aim of our study was to measure the serum levels of galectin-1 in stable liver transplant recipients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum levels of galectin-1 were determined in 30 stable liver transplant recipients who had been free of rejection episodes for at least 8 years. Fifteen patients with an acute rejection episode and 34 healthy subjects were used as the control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concentrations of galectin-1 were significantly higher in stable liver transplant recipients compared with healthy subjects and with the acute rejection group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary results indicate that galectin-1 is upregulated in stable liver transplant recipients. Thus, our results extend the recent findings that galectin-1 may play an immune-suppressive role in liver transplantation. It remains to be established whether it might help to induce tolerance in liver transplantation.
authors: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: García
authors: Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain; Immunology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Jurado
authors: Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain; Immunology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: San Segundo
authors: Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain; Immunology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: López-Hoyos
authors: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Iruzubieta
authors: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Llerena
authors: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Casafont
authors: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Arias
authors: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain.
authors: Á
authors: Á
authors: Puente
authors: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Crespo
authors: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain. Electronic address: digfge@humv.es.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Fábrega
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D037483:Galectin 1; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents