Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40608687›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Galectin-3 inhibition ameliorates hepatic steatosis in a multilineage 3D spheroid model.

Francesca Sedda, Andrea Caddeo, Kavitha Sasidharan, Giovanni Perra, Rajesh Pal, Nicola Lai, Marta Anna Kowalik, Andrea Perra

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Francesca SeddaUnit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Andrea CaddeoUnit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Kavitha SasidharanWallenberg Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Giovanni PerraDepartment of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.ORCID 0009-0006-3043-3132
Rajesh PalComputational Oncology Group, Molecular Precision Oncology Program, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-9083-4030
Nicola LaiDepartment of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Marta Anna KowalikUnit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9868-5674
Andrea PerraUnit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-8098-899X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMetabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease, and liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. MASLD is a multifactorial condition, which still needs to be completely understood. Galectin 3 (Gal-3) is up-regulated in several liver disorders suggesting its implication in the mechanisms underlying liver damage.

methodsA human multilineage 3D model was utilized to investigate the role of Gal-3 in MASLD development. Human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) and human stellate cell line (LX-2) were co-cultured in a physiological ratio of 24:1 and treated with a mixture of palmitic and oleic acid (PAOA, ratio 1:2) to induce hepatocyte steatosis and facilitate the development of fibrosis. While the effect of LGALS3 silencing on neutral fat content was assessed by Oil-Red-O (ORO) staining, type I collagen production was analysed by immunofluorescent staining for collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1).

resultsGal-3 depletion caused a reduction of neutral lipid content and COL1A1 accumulation in 3D spheroids. While LGALS3 silencing did not significantly alter the respiratory state, analysis of genes involved in lipid metabolism demonstrated significant changes in genes involved in β-oxidation and triglyceride synthesis.

conclusionThese results suggest a role of Gal-3 in the regulation of fatty acid and collagen accumulation, thereby indicating that approaches aimed at inhibiting Gal-3 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy in MASLD.

Indexed as

Fatty LiverGalectin 3Spheroids, CellularBlood ProteinsCollagen Type IGalectinsHepatic Stellate CellsHepatocytesHep G2 CellsHumansLipid MetabolismBlood ProteinsCollagen Type IGalectin 3GalectinsLGALS3 protein, human

Identifiers

PMID40608687
PMCPMC12225867

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