Hyperinflammation and Fibrosis in Severe COVID-19 Patients: Galectin-3, a Target Molecule to Consider.

Garcia-Revilla J, Deierborg T, Venero JL, Boza-Serrano A

Front Immunol 11 (-) 2069 [2020-08-18; online 2020-08-18]

COVID-19 disease have become so far the most important sanitary crisis in the XXI century. In light of the events, any clinical resource should be considered to alleviate this crisis. Severe COVID-19 cases present a so-called cytokine storm as the most life-threatening symptom accompanied by lung fibrosis. Galectin-3 has been widely described as regulator of both processes. Hereby, we present compelling evidences on the potential role of galectin-3 in COVID-19 in the regulation of the inflammatory response, fibrosis and infection progression. Moreover, we provide a strong rationale of the utility of measuring plasma galectin-3 as a prognosis biomarker for COVID-19 patients and propose that inhibition of galectin-3 represents a feasible and promising new therapeutical approach.

Category: Biochemistry

Category: Health

Funder: VR

Type: Journal article

PubMed 32973815

DOI 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02069

Crossref 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02069

pmc: PMC7461806


Publications 9.5.0