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. 2021 Apr;38(2):274-280.
doi: 10.5114/ada.2020.92320. Epub 2020 Jan 17.

Serum galectin-3 and galectin-3 binding protein levels in systemic lupus erythematosus and cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Agnieszka Kalinska-Bienias  1 , Emilia Kowalczyk  1 , Piotr Bienias  2 , Kamila Gala  3 , Pawel Jagielski  4 , Cezary Kowalewski  1
Affiliations

Serum galectin-3 and galectin-3 binding protein levels in systemic lupus erythematosus and cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Agnieszka Kalinska-Bienias et al. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: The roles of galectin-3 (Gal-3) and galectin-3 binding protein (G3BP) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are of ongoing interest, but the data are insufficient due to highly limited available studies. There are no data on cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE).

Aim: To assess serum Gal-3 and G3BP concentrations in SLE patients with and without LE-specific skin lesions, CLE patients and to correlate levels of proteins with clinical and laboratory parameters.

Material and methods: The study included 71 SLE patients with and without LE-specific skin lesions, 23 CLE patients and 40 controls. Gal-3 and G3BP were measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

Results: Serum Gal-3 and G3BP concentrations were significantly higher in SLE with and without LE-specific lesions compared to controls, but without differences between SLE groups. Gal-3 and G3BP levels were also elevated in CLE compared to controls (p = 0.001, p = 0.005; respectively). There was a positive correlation between G3BP level and CLASI activity score both in CLE (r = 0.55, p = 0.006) and in SLE patients with LE-specific lesions (r = 0.36, p = 0.02). G3BP and Gal-3 levels did not differ in SLE with LE-specific lesions and CLE. There was a positive correlation between serum G3BP level and the SLEDAI score in SLE patients (r = 0.26, p = 0.03).

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that serum G3BP and Gal-3 are elevated in CLE. Additionally, G3BP might be associated with the extent of skin lesions. There are no differences between G3BP and Gal-3 concentrations in SLE with and without LE-specific skin lesions.

Keywords: galectin-3; galectin-3 binding protein; lupus erythematosus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A – Serum galectin-3 (Gal-3) concentration in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), SLE with LE-specific skin lesions, SLE without LE-specific skin lesions, cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), B – control group serum galectin-3 binding protein (G3BP) concentration in SLE, SLE with LE-specific skin lesions, SLE without LE-specific skin lesions, CLE and control group
Figure 2
Figure 2
Correlation between serum galectin-3 binding protein (G3BP) concentration: A – Cutaneous Lupus erythematosus disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) activity score in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), B – CLASI activity score in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with LE-specific skin lesions, C – Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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