Galectins are proteins that play a huge role in how viruses interact with our bodies. They spot specific sugar patterns on a virus’s surface, affecting how that virus attaches, multiplies, or hides from our defenses.

While many exist, Galectin-1, -3, and -9 are the most active players against both DNA and RNA viruses. Depending on the specific virus, galectins can act as a shield to block infection or accidentally help the virus replicate.

Because changes in galectin levels track closely with how sick a person gets, scientists see them as perfect tools for medicine. They can be used as biomarkers to predict disease severity and as therapeutic targets to build better antiviral drugs.

Read more: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12849096/

First Author: Ying-Wei Tung

Co-author: Arunee Thitithanyanont

Corresponding Author: Sheng-Fan Wang