Abstract
Purpose :
Galectin 3 (Gal3) is a galactosidase-binding protein acting on different aspects of inflammation related to the response to stress stimuli, which expression is highly sensitive to corticoids. It has been recognized as a biomarker for cardiovascular diseases. It mediates the vascular pro fibrotic effect of aldosterone. In the human eye, we found it localized in retinal Muller glial cells, the retinal pigment epithelium and in the choroid. In this multicentre retrospective case-control study we measured Gal3 levels in the serum of patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR).
Methods :
Serum levels of Gal3 were measured in CSCR patients (N= 155) with acute (N=76) and chronic (N=79) disease and in age and sex-matched controls (N=153). Presence of epitheliopathy on multimodal imaging approach allowed to differenciate chronic from acute CSCR. All patients had active disease defined by the presence of subretinal fluid at the time of the blood sample. Patients with concomitant ocular pathologies were excluded, as were samples with CRP > 5 mg/L, creatinine > 100 μmol/L, and/or urea > 7.5 mmol/L. Human Gal3 was measured with a specific Elisa Kit (BGM Galectin-3 Assay, BG Medicine Galectin-3 Kit – RUO Product n°:12727). Descriptive, comparative and correlative statistics were performed on Prism (Graphpad; San Diego), using Dunn test for quantitative values.
Results :
Gal3 serum levels were significantly reduced in patients with CSCR compared to the control group (mean difference 1,250; IC 95% 0,06-2,43; p=0,03), and this level was even lower in patients with acute CSCR compared to controls (mean difference 2,063; IC 95% 0,74-3,18; p=0,004). Gal3 was significantly lower in the population younger than 45 years compared those older than 45 years, irrespectively of the group (mean difference 14,02; IC 95% 11.23-16.82; p<0,0001). Acute CSCR patients showed lower levels of Gal3 compared to chronic CSCR (mean difference 2,602; IC 95% 1,08-4,11; p<0,0001), independently from the age group.
Conclusions :
Galectin 3 serum levels are reduced in patients with CSCR, similarly to what has been recently observed for lipocalin 2. This reduction is particularly important in patients with acute CSCR and could be an important biomarker for diagnosis and follow up of these patients. Age was an important factor in analyzing the variations of this protein, as with other inflammation markers commonly used in medicine.
This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.