LGALS3 and atherosclerosis: In atherosclerosis plaque, loss of galectin-3 in macrophage has been associated with increased expression of pro-inflammatory genes, including matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP-12), chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), while the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) was reduced, suggesting a prominent protective role of galectin-3 in regulating macrophage polarization and plaque progression [25].