Galectin-3 organizes histological compartments associated with inflammatory reaction induced by gliadin in BALB/c mice.

Galectin-3 regulates cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions in distinct tissues, including intestinal epithelial cells interfering with inflammatory responses. In the gut, galectin-3 stabilizes epithelial junctions and intestinal permeability. Here, it was investigated whether gliadin (protein of gluten) can induce inflammatory reactions in the digestive system in the presence or absence of galectin-3.