Targeting Galectin-3 C-epitope oligomers associated maladaptive mechanotransductive signaling in pressure-overload induced left ventricular cardiac hypertrophy

Abstract

Background: Aging and various pathological conditions lead to pressure-overload in the left ventricle, promoting maladaptive hypertrophic remodeling and subsequent cardiac dysfunction, ultimately increasing the risk of heart failure. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) plays a central role in this process; however, its critical intracellular functions complicate direct therapeutic targeting. Notably, pathological microenvironments trigger the proteolytic cleavage of Gal-3 into distinct N- and C-terminal fragments. The specific contributions of these cleaved epitope forms to adverse cardiomyocyte mechanotransduction, and their potential as precision therapeutic targets in contrast to the full-length protein, remain unresolved. Methods: To address this gap, we combined rodent models of aging and pressure-overload (PO) induced cardiac hypertrophy with PO mechanobiology-driven in vitro assays and validation in human cardiac tissue and serum. Gal-3 epitope abundance, localization, phosphorylation, oligomerization, and downstream signaling were quantified using biochemical, imaging, and functional approaches. Results: We found that extracellular oligomers of the Gal-3 C-terminal epitope accumulated in serum and on cardiomyocyte surfaces in hypertrophic rodents and human subjects, where they correlated with adverse remodeling and cardiomyocyte loss. Treatment with Amalaki Rasayana (AR), a standardized nutraceutical-based cardioprotective Ayurvedic phytomedicine, and its bioactive component gallic acid (GA) significantly reduced circulating and surface-associated Gal-3 C-epitope oligomers and attenuated hypertrophy-associated cytotoxic signaling. Mechanistically, AR/GA enhanced Ser6 phosphorylation of Gal-3, promoting intracellular retention, while limiting pathological secretion and deleterious extracellular oligomerization. Following AR/GA treatment, the binding of preformed Gal-3 C-epitope oligomers to cardiomyocyte surfaces were further inhibited, thereby suppressing maladaptive mechanotransductive signaling. Importantly, circulating Gal-3 C-epitope oligomers, together with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), constituted a drug-responsive biomarker panel that accurately tracked hypertrophy regression, serving as an indicator of drug efficacy. Conclusions: In summary, Gal-3 C-epitope oligomers represent pathogenic signaling, drug-responsive therapeutic targets and circulating biomarkers of cardiac hypertrophy, with broader relevance to other Gal-3-driven neoplastic, fibrotic, and inflammatory diseases.