Abstract
Galectin-3 binding protein (Gal-3BP) is a multifunctional glycoprotein involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions known to be upregulated in cancer and various viral infections, including HIV-1, HCV, and SARS-CoV-2, with a key role in regulating the antiviral immune response. Studies have identified a direct correlation between circulating levels of Gal-3BP and the severity of disease and/or disease progression for some viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2, suggesting a role of Gal-3BP in these processes. Due to Gal-3BP’s complex biology, the molecular mechanisms underlying its role in viral diseases have been only partially clarified. Gal-3BP induces the expression of interferons (IFNs) and proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), mainly interacting with galectin-3, targeting the TNF receptor-associated factors (TRAF-6 and TRAF-3) complex, thus having a putative role in the modulation of TGF-β signaling. In addition, an antiviral activity of Gal-3BP has been ascribed to a direct interaction of the protein with virus components. In this review, we explored the role of Gal-3BP in viral infections and the relationship between Gal-3BP upregulation and disease severity and progression, mainly focusing on SARS-CoV-2. Augmented knowledge of Gal-3BP’s role in virus infections can be useful to evaluate its possible use as a prognostic biomarker and as a putative target to block or attenuate severe disease.
Keywords: Gal-3BP; SARS-CoV-2; biomarkers; virus infection.
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, Biomarkers, virus infection., Gal-3BP, 【초록키워드】 Biomarkers, Cytokines, IL-6, knowledge, disease severity, Cancer, Infection, interferons, interleukin-6, progression, antiviral activity, molecular mechanism, virus, viral infections, HCV, Disease progression, Protein, interleukin, HIV-1, galectin-3, glycoprotein, Severity of disease, virus infection, proinflammatory cytokines, correlation, disease, expression, Viral diseases, IFNs, prognostic biomarker, binding, TNF, TGF-β, Signaling, Interaction, severe disease, antiviral immune response, Factor, modulation, components, interferons (IFNs), complex, molecular mechanisms, upregulation, circulating, TRAF, evaluate, involved, addition, in viral, induce, upregulated, multifunctional, attenuate, interferons (IFNs, 【제목키워드】 coronavirus 2, respiratory, role,