The therapeutic potential of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Neuroinflammation has been proposed as a common factor and one of the main inducers of neuronal degeneration. Galectins are a group of β-galactoside-binding lectins, that play an important role in the immune response, adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, migration and cell growth. Up to 15 members of the galectin’s family have been identified; however, the expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 has been considered a key factor in neuronal regeneration and modulation of the inflammatory response. Galectin-1 is necessary to stimulate the secretion of neurotrophic factors in astrocytes and promoting neuronal regeneration. In contrast, galectin-3 fosters the proliferation of microglial cells and modulates cellular apoptosis, therefore these proteins are considered a useful alternative for the treatment of degenerative diseases.

Areas covered: This review describes the roles of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in the modulation of neuroinflammation and their potential as therapeutic targets in the treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.

Expert opinion: Although data in the literature vary, the effects of galectin-1 and galectin-3 on the activation and modulation of astrocytes and microglia has been described. Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, galectin-1 is proposed as a molecule with therapeutic potential, whereas the inhibition of galectin-3 could contribute to reduce the neuroinflammatory response in neurodegenerative diseases.

KEYWORDS:

• Galectins
• galectin-1
• galectin-3
• β-galactoside
• glycosylation
• neurodegeneration
• neuroinflammation

Article highlights

• Galectin-1 and galectin-3 modulate astrocyte and microglia activation through a specific lectin-glycan interaction that contributes to maintaining tissue homeostasis in response to an injury.

• The expression of galectin-1 is necessary for stimulating the secretion of neurotrophic factors in astrocytes and for promoting neuronal regeneration.

• Galectin-3 has been proposed as a trigger factor in the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the inflammatory response.

• Galectin-1 is proposed as a molecule with therapeutic potential, whereas the inhibition of galectin-3 could contribute to reducing the neuroinflammatory response in neurodegenerative diseases.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Ingrid Mascher (English language native and scientific English-speaking copy editor) for their review the English language text.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed by the DGAPA of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, via the postdoctoral fellowship program to E Ramírez Hernández and the VIEP-BUAP 100125355-2019 to ID Limon.