Salivary galectin-3: a novel biomarker of pemphigus disease severity

Background Pemphigus is an immune-mediated bullous skin disorder that can be fatal. It is typified by flaccid blisters and erosions of the skin and mucous membranes. The majority of pemphigus patients develop an immunoglobulin E autoantibody response. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and soluble CD23 are the two primary components of the immunoglobulin E. It is unclear exactly what role Gal-3 plays in pemphigus disease. One of the vital body fluids that can indicate a person’s illness or normal internal features is saliva. Neither the serum nor salivary Gal-3 roles have been identified in pemphigus. Objectives We aimed to measure the serum and salivary levels of Gal-3 in pemphigus patients and to find out if there are any relationships between their levels and the Autoimmune Bullous Skin Disease Intensity Score, which measures disease activity. Patients and methods Thirty patients with a confirmed diagnosis of pemphigus disease and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. Human Gal-3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure Gal-3 levels in serum and saliva. Results A statistically significant increase in serum and salivary Gal-3 levels among cases (mean±SD: 18.58±3.50 and 117.09±32.83) relative to healthy controls (mean±SD: 6.69±1.92 and 93.06±26.60; P <0.001 and P =0.003, respectively). Statistically significant positive correlations were found between serum and salivary Gal-3 levels versus Autoimmune Bullous Skin Disease Intensity Scores. Conclusion Pemphigus patients had higher serum and salivary Gal-3 levels compared to healthy controls. Thus, measuring Gal-3 levels in serum and saliva might be a future tool in pemphigus diagnosis and monitoring disease severity.