LGALS3 +191A and +292C polymorphisms are associated with a reduction in serum gal-3 levels, but not with the clinical events of individuals with sickle cell anemia

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) +191 C>A (rs4644) and +292 A>C (rs4652) of the LGALS3 gene and the serum levels of galectin-3 (gal-3) are associated with clinical events in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Methods: SNP +191 and +292 of the LGALS3 gene were detected by the TaqMan PCR system in real time. Gal-3 levels were measured in serum by ELISA. The study included 322 patients, mean age 36 (21-84). Results: AA and CA genotypes of the +191 region were related to lower levels of gal-3 when compared to CC genotype (p=0.0296). Lower level of gal-3 was also associated with the +191/+292 (AA/CC; CA/CC) diplotypes (p=0.0137) compared to the diplotypes (CC/AA; CC/CC; CC/AC; CA/AC). There was no association between serum levels of galectin-3 and genotype frequencies of the LGALS3 +191 and +292 polymorphisms with clinical events in SCA. Conclusion: The polymorphisms +191 and +292 of the LGALS3 are associated to decrease in serum levels of gal-3. However, no association of polymorphisms and levels of gal-3 with clinical events was observed in patients SCA.