Expression of galectin-3 in nephrotic syndrome glomerulopaties in children.

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Galectins are a family of ancient animal carbohydrate binding proteins; the name is from their description as β-galactoside-specific lectins. They have been strongly implicated in inflammation and cancer. Studies of the association of galectins with various aspects of kidney disease in humans are still at an early stage. In line with the above, the aim of the present report was to analyse the immunohistochemical expression of galectin-3 (the only chimera galectin currently identified) in renal biopsy specimens of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). Patients and Methods: Eighteen children with minimal change disease (MCD), 30 with diffuse mesangial proliferation (DMP) and 11 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) treated between 2003 and 2006 in the Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Nephrology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences. An indirect immunohistochemical protocol using a polyclonal rabbit antibody against human galectin-3 was employed. Results: In the control, MCD and DMP children who responded to steroid therapy anti-galectin-3 reactivity was present both in renal cortex and medulla. It was the strongest within cortical collecting ducts and subjectively less expressed in distal tubules. The total number of galectin-3 positive cortical and medullary segments of collecting ducts was significantly higher in the subjects who did not respond to steroid therapy These patients revealed also immunohistochemical reactivity of galectin-3 within nuclei of individual glomerular mesangial cells (p<0,001). Conclusions: A suggested galectin-3 authority in mature human glomeruli during proteinuric glomerulopathies may indicate, on the one hand, its anti-inflammatory effect, but on the other can prognosticate a further glomerular reconstruction leading to FSGS. Taken together, both glomerular and extraglomerular galectin-3 immunoreactivity in certain DMP individuals could be regarded as the factor of unfavourable prognosis.

Galectin-3 in Renal Pathology: More Than Just an Innocent Bystander?

“…In this control group and in DMP and MCD children responding to steroid treatment, galectin-3 activity was demonstrated in renal medulla and cortex, especially in collecting ducts of the cortex and to a lesser degree in distal tubules. In the non-responding steroid group, the overall number of galectin-3 positive medullary and cortical collecting ducts segments was significantly greater [69] .…”

“…Galectin-3 plays a key role in mesangial expansion and in inflammatory renal diseases [69,70] . The role of galectin-3 has been examined in patients with a nephrotic syndrome.…”

SOCS3 and SOCS5 mRNA expressions may predict initial steroid response in nephrotic syndrome children

“…The corresponding author (on behalf of all authors in the paper) reveals any: (1) financial interests or arrangements with a company whose product was used in a study or is referred to in a manuscript; (2) any financial interests of arrangement with a competing company; (3) any direct payment to an author(s) from any source for the purpose of writing the manuscript; and (4) any other financial connections, direct or indirect, or other situations that might raise the question of bias in the work reported or the conclusions, implications, or opinions stated -in- The results presented in this paper have not been published previously in whole or in part, except in abstract format.…”

“…Generally, NS base might reflect multiple immunological disorders [2], a critical filtration barrier breakage or could follow diabetes mellitus [3,4], obesity [5], sarcoidosis [6] as well as different malignancies [7,8].…”

Chronic kidney disease predictors in obese adolescents

“…Galectin-3 (Gal-3)-a β-galactoside-binding lectinhas been shown to be involved in a number of biological processes including cell adhesion and activation [20], chemoattraction [21], cell growth and differentiation [20] as well as apoptosis [22]. Under normal conditions, it is primarily expressed in the proximal tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney [23]. Gal-3 is one of the most important proteins shown to be involved in renal fibrogenesis leading to CKD [24].…”