title: The Role of Galectin-3 in the Kidneys.
abstract: Galectin-3 is a 32- to 35-kDa member of the galectin family of b-galactoside-binding lectins, which is characterized by a carbohydrate recognition domain. Through its carbohydrate-binding function, it regulates cell growth, differentiation, and inflammation. It also plays a complex, context-dependent role in the kidneys. During development, it promotes nephrogenesis and is strongly expressed in the ureteric bud and its derivatives. An increase in the concentration of galectin-3 has been reported to be associated with fibrosis of the kidneys. Elevated levels of plasma galectin-3 are also associated with increased risks of rapid renal function decline, incident chronic kidney disease, and progressive renal impairment, and also with cardiovascular end points, infection, and all-cause mortality in patients with renal function impairment. This review discusses a general survey on galectin-3 expressions in nephrogenesis, kidney injury animal models, clinical renal diseases, renal transplantation and the potential role of galectin-3 for treatment in kidney disease.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan. scarchenone@yahoo.com.tw.|Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan. scarchenone@yahoo.com.tw.|Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan. scarchenone@yahoo.com.tw.|Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan. scarchenone@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Szu-Chia
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan. kuopolin@seed.net.tw.|Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan. kuopolin@seed.net.tw.
authors.forename: Po-Lin
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation
chemical_list: D037502:Galectin 3; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced
keywords: clinical renal disease; galectin-3; kidney; nephrogenesis