title: [Diagnostic role of galectin-3].
abstract: The meaning of galectin-3 role in the diagnostics of different diseases was disscused in the paper. Galectin-3 is endogenous, soluble beta- galactoside-binding lectin, which occur in the cell nucleus, the cytoplasm and on the surface of certain cells. Galectin-3 controls cell cycle, modulates adhesion, affects the mRNA splicing, extracellular matrix interactions and cellular differentiation. Galectin-3, also affects to procollagen I which irreversibly crosslinks to form collagen and results in parenchymal organs fibrosis. Taking into account numerous research and knowledge of action mechanism of galectin-3 there were presented changes in its activity in the pathological processes of the human body, including: heart failure, liver fibrosis and tumors. The results of published clinical studies have shown its high diagnostic sensitivity, which probably enables to application in laboratory diagnosis.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gudowska
authors.forename: Lech
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chrostek
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D037502:Galectin 3