Galectins 7 and 9 in Dermatology : Current knowledge and future perspectives

Authors

  • Efstathia S Pasmatzi Associate Professor Department of Dermatology University of Patras School of Medicine
  • Alexandra Monastirli Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Limassol, Cyprus
  • George Badavanis Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Limassol, Cyprus
  • Christina Papadionysiou Department of Dermatology University of Patras School of Medicine
  • Dionysios Tsambaos Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Limassol, Cyprus

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2015/hc.v13i1-4.847

Keywords:

epidermis, β-galactoside-binding proteins, galectin 7, galectin 9

Abstract

Galectins constitute a family of β-galactoside-binding proteins lectins that are widely distributed in nature occurring in mammals, sponges, fungi, nematodes, insects and viruses.  Galectins are involved in fundamental cellular processes in human skin and other tissues and exert biological effects of paramount importance through interactions with cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins and with components of cell surface and extracellular matrix, as well.

In this paper we summarize current knowledge on the expression of galectins 7 and 9 in normal and diseased human skin and present the future perspectives of the use of these galectins or their antagonists/inhibitors in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cutaneous disorders.

Author Biography

Efstathia S Pasmatzi, Associate Professor Department of Dermatology University of Patras School of Medicine

Department of Dermatology
University of Patras
School of Medicine

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Published

2019-03-21

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1-4 (2018)

Section

REVIEWS

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