Journal Article

Crystalline Insights into Nasal Mucosa Inflammation and Remodeling: Unveiling Role of Galectin-10

Gagliardo, Rosalia, Picone, Domiziana, Rappa, Francesca, Malizia, Velia, Perri, Andrea, Fucarino, Alberto, Manna, Olga Maria, La Grutta, Stefania, Profita, Mirella, Bucchieri, Fabio

2026

Overview

Background: Galectin-10 (Gal-10), the main constituent of Charcot–Leyden crystals, is a recognized marker of eosinophilic inflammation, yet its role in nasal mucosal remodeling in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (SAR) remains poorly defined. Methods: Gal-10, IL-5, MUC5AC, and IFN-γ were analyzed in Nasal lavage (NL) samples from children with SAR by ELISA. Unsupervised clustering and discriminant analyses were applied. The functional effects of Gal-10 were investigated ex vivo using a 3D epithelial–mesenchymal trophic unit (EMTU) model stimulated with NL containing high, low, or depleted Gal-10 levels. EMT (epithelial–mesenchymal transition) markers (vimentin, E-cadherin, SNAIL1) and MUC5AC secretion were assessed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and ELISA. Results: Gal-10 levels in NL positively correlated with IL-5 and MUC5AC and inversely with IFN-γ. Clustering analysis identified distinct SAR endotypes, with Gal-10 showing the highest discriminative power. In the 3D EMTU model, high Gal-10 NL induced increased vimentin and SNAIL1 expression and enhanced MUC5AC secretion, effects attenuated after Gal-10 depletion. Conclusions: Gal-10 is associated with Th2-type inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and early epithelial–mesenchymal transition in pediatric SAR, supporting its role as a mediator of nasal mucosal remodeling and a potential therapeutic target

• Publisher: MDPI AG,Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
• Subject: Allergic rhinitis / Analysis / Asthma / Biomarkers / Child / Crystals / Cytokines / E-cadherin / Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay / Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) / Female / Galectin-10 / Galectins - metabolism / Hay fever / Health aspects / Humans / Immunohistochemistry / Inflammation / Inflammation - metabolism / Inflammation - pathology / Interferon-gamma - metabolism / Interleukin 5 / Interleukin-5 - metabolism / Lavage / Leukocytes (eosinophilic) / Lymphocytes T / Male / Mucin 5AC - metabolism / Mucosa / Nasal Lavage Fluid - chemistry / nasal mucosa / Nasal Mucosa - metabolism / Nasal Mucosa - pathology / Patients / Pediatrics / Penicillin / Proteins / remodeling / Rhinitis / Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (SAR) / Stem cells / Steroids / Therapeutic targets / Vimentin / γ-Interferon