Galectin as Disease Biomarker

Dear Colleagues,

Introduction:

Galectins, an integral class of lectins consisting of eleven members in humans, have been the focus of countless scientific efforts due to their profound importance in immunological diseases. Because of their ability to function as potent mediators of immune responses, abnormalities in their expression have been routinely associated with a wide range of immunological diseases. The overwhelming information about these intriguing proteins has generated a great deal of interest in their potential role in pathological conditions, particularly inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer.

Table of Contents:

• The galectin protein family: an introduction
• Galectins in humans: an overview of the eleven members
• Diverse cellular expression and intracellular distribution

Galectins in pathological conditions

• Role in inflammation
• Association with fibrosis
• Impact on cancer pathogenesis

Galectins as potential biomarkers

• Diagnostic capabilities and prognostic significance
• Galectins in immunological diseases: trends and associations
• Recent studies and key findings

Therapeutic potential of galectins

• Galectins as therapeutic targets: opportunities and challenges
• Pharmaceutical approaches to treatment: current strategies and future directions
• Advances in galectin-based therapies: translational perspectives
• A vision for the future: next steps in galectin research and clinical translation

Editorial Board Comments:

This Special Issue, curated with deep insights and rigorous scientific analysis, seeks to illuminate the multiple roles played by galectins in human health and disease. The wealth of information highlights the compelling need to intensify efforts to develop galectin-based therapeutic approaches to treat numerous human diseases.

Given their importance in disease pathogenesis and progression, galectins undoubtedly represent an exciting area for biomarker research. As the scientific community more deeply explores the intricate dynamics of galectins in pathological contexts, it is critical to translate this burgeoning knowledge into actionable clinical solutions.

With this compilation, we invite researchers, clinicians, and the broader scientific community to delve into the fascinating world of galectins and explore their promising role as crucial diagnostic/prognostic markers as well as avenues for developing transformative therapeutic modalities. The time is indeed ripe to join our collective efforts to unlock the therapeutic potential of these unique proteins.

Prof. Dr. José Mesquita Bastos
Dr. Rui Vitorino
Guest Editors

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• galectins
• disease biomarker
• lectins
• immune response mediators
• immunological diseases
• diagnostic marker
• prognostic marker
• therapeutic target
• galactose-binding domains
• cellular expression
• intracellular distribution
• pathological states
• inflammation
• fibrosis
• cancer pathogenesis
• pharmaceutical approaches
• therapeutic potential
• clinical translation
• aberrancies in expression
• galectin-based therapies