Home›Rheumatology› Galectin-3 levels elevated in SLE with mean difference 8.48 versus healthy controls
Galectin-3 levels elevated in SLE with mean difference 8.48 versus healthy controlsHigher levels of galectin-3 linked to systemic lupus erythematosus
LupusPublished October 2, 2026Study authors: Ranjan Shovit, Dubey Madhavi, Panda Aditya KPubMed ↗DOI ↗Editorial oversight: Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease
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Key Takeaway
Interpret galectin-3 as an associated biomarker in SLE, not a diagnostic or causal factor.
This meta-analysis examined circulating galectin-3 levels in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with healthy controls. The scope was limited to this biomarker comparison, with no data reported on sample size, setting, follow-up, or safety outcomes.
The pooled analysis found that circulating galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in patients with SLE than in healthy controls, with a mean difference of 8.48 (95% CI 3.84-13.12; p < 0.0001). The direction of effect was increased galectin-3 in SLE.
The authors reported substantial heterogeneity across included studies (Tau square: 32.57, Q = 196.03, I = 96.93%), which limits confidence in the pooled estimate. Funding and conflicts of interest were not reported. The evidence is associative only and does not support galectin-3 as a diagnostic tool or a causal factor in SLE pathogenesis.
Practice relevance remains uncertain. Galectin-3 may serve as a biomarker associated with SLE pathogenesis and inflammatory activity, but its clinical utility requires further validation. Clinicians should interpret these findings cautiously given the high heterogeneity and lack of data on diagnostic accuracy or patient outcomes.
How this fits prior evidence
This meta-analysis extends prior coverage of SLE biomarkers, such as CSF IL-6 and MCP-1 for neuropsychiatric involvement, by evaluating a circulating marker, galectin-3, in SLE versus healthy controls. It also adds to the broader SLE evidence base that includes stigma prevalence, diagnostic coding sensitivity, and treatment response with telitacicept. However, unlike those findings, this analysis reports substantial heterogeneity, and the association does not establish clinical utility. It does not confirm or contrast with prior intervention or diagnostic accuracy findings, but addresses a gap in understanding inflammatory biomarkers in SLE.
Living with systemic lupus erythematosus means dealing with a complex condition where the immune system attacks the body. Scientists are looking for specific markers, like proteins, to better understand how the disease develops and how much inflammation is active in a patient's body.
This analysis looked at circulating galectin-3 levels in people with systemic lupus erythematosus compared to healthy individuals. The results showed that these patients had significantly higher levels of the protein. This finding suggests that galectin-3 could be a useful marker for tracking the disease and its inflammatory activity.
While these results are clear, the data showed a lot of variation between different studies included in the analysis. Because of this inconsistency, researchers are still working to determine exactly how reliable this protein is as a consistent tool. For now, it serves as an important clue in understanding the underlying biology of the condition.
What this means for you:
Higher levels of the protein galectin-3 are linked to inflammation in people with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Common questions
What is galectin-3 and why does it matter for lupus?
Galectin-3 is a protein found in the body. In this study, it was found in significantly higher amounts in people with systemic lupus erythematosus than in healthy people. Because of this link, it may serve as a biomarker to help doctors understand how the disease develops and how much inflammation is happening in the body.
Can galectin-3 be used to diagnose lupus?
While the study shows a clear link between higher galectin-3 levels and systemic lupus erythematosus, it does not confirm that the protein can be used as a standalone diagnostic tool. The data shows an association with the disease, but more research is needed to determine its specific role in diagnosis.
BackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune condition showing persistent profiling of inflammation and damage of organs and immune system. Amongst many biomarkers for such autoimmune diseases, Galectin-3 (Gal-3) a β-galactoside-binding lectin responsible for regulation, inflammation, and fibrosis of immune repsonses, has engrossed researchers for further investigations as a potential biomarker. However, correlation has been studied between circulating Galectin-3 levels and SLE but outcomes still remain inconsistent. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between circulating galectin-3 levels and SLE.Materials and MethodsPubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Embase databases are extensively used for literature search. The last database search was conducted on September 6, 2025. Eligible studies included case control studies reporting circulating galectin-3 levels in individuals with SLE and healthy controls. Two independent reviewers performed study selection and data extraction. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was used for statistical analysis. Pooled effect sizes were calculated as mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q test and I statistics, and publication bias was evaluated using Begg's funnel plot and Egger's regression analysis.ResultsSeven eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that patients with SLE had significantly higher circulating Galectin-3 levels than healthy controls (mean difference = 8.48; 95% CI: 3.84-13.12; < 0.0001). Substantial heterogeneity was observed across studies (Tau square: 32.57, Q = 196.03; < 0.0001, I = 96.93%). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the overall findings. Begg's funnel plot and Egger's regression analysis indicated no publication bias among studies. Subgroup analysis supports the results of the overall analysis.ConclusionThis meta-analysis depicts that galectin-3 may serve as a biomarker associated with SLE pathogenesis and inflammatory activity due to significantly elevated levels of circulating galectin-3 levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
