Galectn-3 : marker of airway inflammation in bronchial asthma

Introduction: Bronchial asthma is one of airway diseases characterized by chronic inflammation, variable airflow limitation, and airway hyper-responsiveness. Many mediators play role in disease pathogenesis and airway remodeling. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is one of β-galactoside-lectins (Galectins) that has significant role in biological processes like inflammation, allergiy and tissue homeostasis. It elevates in serum of cancer patients, heart failure and in patients with pneumonia. Aim of study: to screen the level of Gal-3 in asthmatic patients. Methodology: 15 chronic asthmatic patients and 15 healthy voulnteers (control group) were subjected to: spirometric lung functions( FEV1,FVC,FEV1%, PEF25-75) , blood sampling(10 ml) to measure Gal-3 in serum( by ELIZA), and fiberoptic bronchoscope bronchial lavage(BAL) and bronchial biopsy to be examined for Gal-3(immune-histochemistry). Results: Gal-3 in asthma group serum was insignificantly lower(12.7±2.65 ng/ml) than that of control group(14.2±1.34 ng)( P=0.057), but BAL in asthma group had high concentration of Gal-3 (16.27 ±4.59 ng/ml) in contrast to control group(12.2 ±1.82 ng/ml) (P =0.003). Bronchial tissue had high stain level of Gal-3 in comparison to control group. Gal-3 concentration in bronchial tissue and BAL cells was positively correlated to the severity of asthma degree(spirometric functions). Discussion: Gal-3 level elevates significantly in asthma BAL and bronchial tissue than its change in the blood, and its BAL level and tissue concentration correlates positively with asthma severity. Gal-3 is a good marker of tissue inflammation and should be further studied to reveal its role in disease pathogenesis and how to get benefit of it in therapeutic strategies.