Lgals3, also known as Galectin-3, is a β-galactoside-binding lectin. It binds proteins in carbohydrate-dependent and-independent ways, and is involved in multiple biological activities such as cell growth, apoptosis, and inflammation [3]. It can shuttle between the cytoplasm, nucleus, and is secreted onto the cell surface and into biological fluids.

In a kidney stone model, knockout of Lgals3 significantly reduced calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal deposition and renal fibrosis in vivo. Lgals3 interacts with pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), promoting its expression, and is related to histone lactylation of H3K18la, which affects CaOx crystal deposition and kidney injury. Lgals3 deficiency also inhibits the transcription, activation, and expression of FGFR4 through inhibition of H3K18la [1]. In glaucoma mouse models, genetic and pharmacologic targeting of Galectin-3 ameliorated retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration [2].

In conclusion, Lgals3 is crucial in biological activities like kidney stone formation and glaucoma-related RGC degeneration. The study of Lgals3 knockout mouse models has provided insights into its role in these disease conditions, which may contribute to understanding disease mechanisms and developing potential therapies.

References:

1. Ye, Zehua, Sun, Yushi, Yang, Songyuan, Zhou, Xiangjun, Cheng, Fan. 2025. Lgals3 Promotes Calcium Oxalate Crystal Formation and Kidney Injury Through Histone Lactylation-Mediated FGFR4 Activation. In Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), 12, e2413937. doi:10.1002/advs.202413937. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39903812/

2. Margeta, Milica A, Yin, Zhuoran, Madore, Charlotte, Chen, Dong Feng, Butovsky, Oleg. 2022. Apolipoprotein E4 impairs the response of neurodegenerative retinal microglia and prevents neuronal loss in glaucoma. In Immunity, 55, 1627-1644.e7. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2022.07.014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35977543/

3. Dong, Rui, Zhang, Min, Hu, Qunying, Zheng, Yijie, Yuan, Hui. 2017. Galectin-3 as a novel biomarker for disease diagnosis and a target for therapy (Review). In International journal of molecular medicine, 41, 599-614. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2017.3311. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29207027/