Galectin-3 (Gal-3) (35 kDa lectin) (Carbohydrate-binding protein 35) (CBP 35) (Galactose-specific lectin 3) (Galactoside-binding protein) (GALBP) (IgE-binding protein) (L-31) (Laminin-binding protein) (Lectin L-29) (Mac-2 antigen) [MAC2]
Dietary taurine deficiency results in dilated cardiomyopathy in cats while in mice taurine deficiency produced by knocking out the taurine transporter (TauT) gene leads to a reduction in cardiac function with advancing age. The present study elucidated the involvement of cardiac fibrosis in the aging-dependent cardiac disorder of the TauT-knockout (TauTKO) mouse. Old (18-24-month-old) TauTKO mice, but not young (3-5-month-old) mice, exhibit cardiac fibrosis. Transcriptome microarray analysis revealed an increase in pro-fibrotic genes, such as S100A4, ACTA2 and CTGF, in both young and old TauTKO hearts. Based on transcriptome-pathway analysis the genes involved in "organization of extracellular matrix," such as LGALS3, are enriched in old TauTKO hearts compared to old wild-type hearts, suggesting the contribution of these genes to fibrosis. In conclusion, taurine depletion predisposes the heart to fibrosis, which leads to cardiac fibrosis upon aging.
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