Immunomodulatory effects and clinical application of galectins in ocular surface.

The ocular surface is a highly specialized biological unit essential for maintaining visual clarity and providing a robust defense against environmental insults. The interactions between cell-surface glycans and glycan-binding proteins are essential for structural and immune homeostasis. Galectins are a family of β-galactoside-binding lectins known for their diverse biological functions, notably in immune regulation. Emerging evidence highlights their critical involvement in maintaining ocular surface integrity and influencing various immunopathological conditions. This review explores the differential expression and mechanistic contributions of specific galectins, notably Gal-1, Gal-3, Gal-8, and Gal-9, in conditions such as corneal wound healing, neovascularization, dry eye disease, and various forms of ocular inflammation. Insights from clinical studies and animal models underscore their complex roles in modulating processes like epithelial barrier stability, immune cell infiltration, cytokine production, and angiogenesis. Collectively, these findings position galectins not only potential biomarkers for disease diagnosis and progression but also as therapeutic targets for interventions aimed at restoring ocular immune balance and promoting tissue repair.