Galectin 3 aggravates joint inflammation and destruction in antigen-induced arthritis.

The article presents a study to investigate the influence of galectin 3 deficiency in a murine model of arthritis. Wild-type (WT) and galectin 3–deficient (galectin 3&sup–/–;) mice were subjected to antigen-induced arthritis (AIA), and the concentration of serum cytokines, antigen-specific antibodies and cellular IL-17 responses were examined. Galectin 3&sup–/–; mice showed a relatively greater suppression in joint inflammation and bone erosion, thereby suggesting that galectin 3 plays a pathogenic role in the development and progression of AIA.