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

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: Experimental studies indicate a role for galectin-1 and galectin-3 in metabolic disease, but clinical evidence from larger populations is limited. Methods: We measured circulating levels of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in 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. Results: Both galectins were associated with fatty acids, lipoproteins and triglycerides including lipid measurements in the metabolomics analysis adjusted for BMI. Galectin-1 was associated with several measurements of adiposity, insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, while galectin-3 was only associated with fasting insulin levels. Mechanistically, both galectins were associated with inflammatory pathways and FABP4- and 5-regulated triglyceride metabolic pathways. Galectin-1 was also associated with several proteins related to adipose tissue differentiation. ​Conclusions: The similar metabolic association profiles for galectin-1 and -3 indicate overlapping metabolic effects, while the distinctly different associations seen with fat mass, fat distribution, and adipose tissue differentiation markers could suggest a functional role of galectin-1 in obesity. This study indicates that galectin-1 and -3 have metabolic effects in humans.