Differences in the effects noted with exogenous Gal-3 delivery versus endogenous Gal-3 expression may be multifactorial such as the cells in which the protein is expressed endogenously during allergic asthma versus those targeted by the delivery of exogenous Gal-3, the concentration at which Gal-3 is present in the local milieu, as well as the activity and mode of action of exogenous Gal-3 delivered into the lungs via plasmid versus that of endogenously expressed Gal-3 in the lung. The gene discussed is LGALS3; the disease is allergic asthma.