Metabolic profiling of galectin-1 and galectin-3: a cross-sectional, multi-omics, association study.

Fryk E, Rodrigues Silva VR, Strindberg L, Strand R, Ahlström H, Michaëlsson K, Kullberg J, Lind L, Jansson PA

Int J Obes (Lond) 48 (8) 1180-1189 [2024-08-00; online 2024-05-22]

Experimental studies indicate a role for galectin-1 and galectin-3 in metabolic disease, but clinical evidence from larger populations is limited. We measured circulating levels of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in the Prospective investigation of Obesity, Energy and Metabolism (POEM) study, participants (n = 502, all aged 50 years) and characterized the individual association profiles with metabolic markers, including clinical measures, metabolomics, adipose tissue distribution (Imiomics) and proteomics. Galectin-1 and galectin-3 were associated with fatty acids, lipoproteins and triglycerides including lipid measurements in the metabolomics analysis adjusted for body mass index (BMI). Galectin-1 was associated with several measurements of adiposity, insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, while galectin-3 was associated with triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and fasting insulin levels. Both galectins were associated with inflammatory pathways and fatty acid binding protein (FABP)4 and -5-regulated triglyceride metabolic pathways. Galectin-1 was also associated with several proteins related to adipose tissue differentiation. The association profiles for galectin-1 and galectin-3 indicate overlapping metabolic effects in humans, while the distinctly different associations seen with fat mass, fat distribution, and adipose tissue differentiation markers may suggest a functional role of galectin-1 in obesity.

Affinity Proteomics Uppsala [Service]

PubMed 38777863

DOI 10.1038/s41366-024-01543-1

Crossref 10.1038/s41366-024-01543-1

pmc: PMC11281902
pii: 10.1038/s41366-024-01543-1