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Galectin-3: a new biomarker for heart failure progression and prognosis

Galectin-3: ein neuer Biomarker für Herzinsuffizienz Entwicklung und Prognose
  • Rudolf A. de Boer EMAIL logo and A. Rogier van der Velde
Published/Copyright: September 4, 2013

Abstract

Galectin-3 is a carbohydrate-binding protein involved in inflammatory and fibrotic processes in various tissues. In the heart, galectin-3 activation has been associated with progression of cardiac fibrosis leading to cardiac remodeling and heart failure development. Clinical studies have shown that galectin-3 is a valuable prognostic marker in cardiovascular disease recognizing patients at risk. Most published results are from cohorts with chronic heart failure patients, but also in patients with acute heart failure, acute cardiac syndromes, as well as in cohorts from the general population. Galectin-3 levels were prognostic when looking at various endpoints, most prominently mortality, new onset heart failure and other cardiovascular endpoints. This review on galectin-3 provides an overview of the biological function of the marker and important findings from animal model studies and summarizes the key results of published analyses of clinical cohorts. The potential future role of galectin-3 is discussed.

Zusammenfassung

Galectin-3 ist ein Kohlenhydrat-bindendes Protein, welches an entzündlichen und fibrotischen Prozessen im Gewebe beteiligt ist. Die Aktivierung des Galectin-3 im Herzen ist eng mit der kardialen Fibrose, einer der Hauptgründe für das kardiale Remodeling, verknüpft. Klinische Studien konnten zeigen, dass Galectin-3 ein wertvoller prognostischer Marker für das frühzeitige Erkennen eines kardiovaskulären Erkrankungsrisikos ist. Die meisten Publikation stammen aus Studien mit chronischen Herzinsuffizienzpatienten, aber auch bei Patienten mit akuter Herzinsuffizienz, mit akutem kardialen Syndrom sowie in der Allgemeinbevölkerung lieferten erhöhte Galectin-3 Spiegel prognostische Informationen in Bezug vor allem auf Mortalität, Herzinsuffizienz und andere kardiovaskuläre Endpunkte. Dieser Galectin-3 Review-Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die biologische Funktion des Markers und die Erkenntnisse, die aus Tiermodellstudien gewonnen wurden. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse der bisher veröffentlichten Studien sind zusammengefasst, und die mögliche zukünftige Rolle des Galectin-3 wird diskutiert.

Reviewed Publication:

März W.



Correspondence: Rudolf A. de Boer, MD, PhD, FESC, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands, Tel.: +31 50 361 2355, Fax: +31 50 361 5525

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Received: 2013-04-12
Accepted: 2013-07-10
Published Online: 2013-09-04
Published in Print: 2013-09-01

©2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston

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