Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
An Experimental Model of Myocardial Infarction for Studying Cardiac Repair and Remodeling in Knockout Mice
Published on: July 14, 2023
Favorable Response to CD34+ Cell Therapy Is Associated with a Decrease of Galectin-3 Levels in Patients with Chronic
Gregor Poglajen1,2, Jus Ksela2,3, Sabina Frljak1
1Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation Center, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Insights
A decrease in galectin-3 plasma levels indicates a positive response to CD34+ cell therapy in chronic heart failure patients. This finding suggests galectin-3 may predict treatment efficacy in stem cell therapy for heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Galectin-3 (gal-3) levels correlate with scar burden in chronic heart failure (CHF).
- Scar burden predicts response to stem cell therapy.
- The relationship between gal-3 and CD34+ cell therapy response in CHF is unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between galectin-3 plasma levels and response to CD34+ cell transplantation in patients with CHF.
- To determine if baseline or changes in gal-3 levels predict treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Post hoc analysis of 61 patients from two prospective trials on CD34+ cell therapy for ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
- CD34+ cells were mobilized, collected, and transendocardially injected.
- Patients were followed for 3 months, with analysis of demographic, echocardiographic, and biochemical parameters, including gal-3 levels.
- Treatment response was defined as an LVEF increase of ≥5%.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in baseline gal-3 levels between responders and non-responders.
- Responders showed significantly lower gal-3 levels at 3-month follow-up compared to non-responders.
- Responders exhibited a significant decrease in gal-3 over 3 months, while non-responders showed an increase (p=0.01).
Conclusions:
- A decrease in galectin-3 plasma levels is associated with a beneficial response to CD34+ cell therapy in CHF patients.
- Galectin-3 may serve as a predictive biomarker for stem cell therapy efficacy.
- Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and elucidate gal-3's role in stem cell therapy.
Background:
Galectin-3 plasma levels (gal-3) were shown to correlate with the scar burden in chronic heart failure (CHF) setting. As scar burden predicts response to stem cell therapy, we sought to explore a correlation between gal-3 and response to CD34+ cell transplantation in patients with CHF.
Methods:
We performed a post hoc analysis of patients, enrolled in 2 prospective trials investigating the clinical effects of CD34+ cell therapy in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP) and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP). CD34+ cells were mobilized by G-CSF, collected via apheresis, and injected transendocardially using NOGA system. Patients were followed for 3 months and demographic, echocardiographic, and biochemical parameters and gal-3 were analyzed at baseline and at follow-up. Response to cell therapy was defined as an LVEF increase of ≥5%.
Results:
61 patients were included in the analysis. The mean age of patients was 52 years and 83% were male. DCMP and ICMP were present in 69% and 31% of patients, respectively. The average serum creatinine was 86 ± 23 μmol/L, NT-proBNP 1132 (IQR 350-2279) pg/mL, and LVEF 30 ± 6%. Gal-3 at baseline and at 3 months did not differ significantly (13.4 ± 5.5 ng/mL vs. 13.1 ± 5.8 ng/mL; p = 0.72), and there were no differences in baseline gal-3 with respect to heart failure etiology (15.1 ± 7.2 ng/mL in ICMP vs. 12.7 ± 4.3 ng/mL in DCMP; p = 0.12). Comparing responders (N = 49) to nonresponders (N = 18), we found no differences in baseline gal-3 (13.6 ± 5.7 ng/mL vs. 13.2 ± 4.9 ng/mL; p = 0.80). However, responders had significantly lower gal-3 at 3-month follow-up (12.1 ± 4.0 ng/mL vs. 15.7 ± 8.4 ng/mL; p < 0.05). Also, responders demonstrated a significant decrease in gal-3 over 3 months, while in nonresponders, an increase in gal-3 occurred (-1.5 ± 5.4 ng/mL vs. +2.7 ± 4.3 ng/mL; p = 0.01).
Conclusions:
In patients with chronic heart failure undergoing CD34+ cell therapy, a decrease in galectin-3 plasma levels is associated with beneficial response to this treatment modality. Further prospective data is warranted to confirm our findings and to deepen our understanding of the role of gal-3 in the field of stem cell therapy.
More Related Videos
11:37Protocol for MicroRNA Transfer into Adult Bone Marrow-derived Hematopoietic Stem Cells to Enable Cell Engineering Combined with Magnetic Targeting
Published on: June 18, 2018
08:24Establishing a Swine Model of Post-myocardial Infarction Heart Failure for Stem Cell Treatment
Published on: May 25, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
01:30Heart Failure V: Medical Management