# Galectin-1 in Cardiovascular Pathogenesis: Unraveling Dual Roles and Mechanistic Insights in Emerging Research

## TL;DR

Galectin-1 has both protective and harmful roles in heart disease, and understanding its complex effects could lead to new treatments.

## Contribution

This review highlights Gal-1's dual roles and identifies gaps in understanding for potential therapeutic use in cardiovascular diseases.

## Key findings

- Gal-1 supports vascular health but can also drive inflammation and fibrosis in heart disease.
- Gal-1 shows promise as a biomarker and therapeutic target for cardiovascular conditions.
- Context-dependent effects and limited clinical data hinder full understanding of Gal-1's potential.

## Abstract

Galectin-1 (Gal-1), a β-galactoside-binding lectin, plays a complex role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), exerting both protective and pathological effects depending on the context. This review synthesizes findings from the past decade to explore Gal-1’s involvement in key aspects of CVD pathogenesis, including vascular homeostasis, inflammation regulation, atherosclerosis progression, myocardial remodeling, and heart failure. While Gal-1 supports endothelial integrity and immune modulation, its dysregulation contributes to disease progression through pro-inflammatory signaling, fibrosis, and adverse cardiac remodeling. Emerging evidence suggests that Gal-1 holds potential as both a biomarker for risk assessment and a therapeutic target. However, critical knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding its context-dependent effects, the limited scope of clinical trials, and unresolved mechanistic insights. Addressing these challenges will be essential to fully harness Gal-1’s therapeutic potential in cardiovascular medicine, guiding future research efforts toward precision interventions and clinical applications.