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Analysis of institutional authors

Almudéver, PAuthor

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October 30, 2024
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Increased Expression of Galectin-3 in Skin Fibrosis: Evidence from In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Publicated to:International Journal Of Molecular Sciences. 23 (23): 15319- - 2022-12-01 23(23), DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315319

Authors: Peiro, Teresa; Alonso-Carpio, Miriam; Ribera, Pilar; Almudever, Patricia; Roger, Ines; Montero, Paula; Marin, Severiano; Milara, Javier; Cortijo, Julio

Affiliations

European Univ Valencia, Fac Hlth Sci - Author
La Fe Univ & Polytech Hosp, Plast & Reconstruct Surg Div - Author
Univ Gen Hosp Consortium, Pharm Unit - Author
Univ Gen Hosp Consortium, Plast Surg Unit - Author
Univ Gen Hosp Consortium, Res & Teaching Unit - Author
Univ Politecn Valencia, Dept Biotechnol - Author
Univ Valencia, Fac Med, Dept Pharmacol - Author
Univ Valencia, Fac Nursing & Podiatry, Dept Nursing - Author
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Abstract

Skin fibrosis is a hallmark of a wide array of dermatological diseases which can greatly impact the patients' quality of life. Galectin-3 (GAL-3) has emerged as a central regulator of tissue fibrosis, playing an important pro-fibrotic role in numerous organs. Various studies are highlighting its importance as a skin fibrotic diseases biomarker; however, there is a need for further studies that clarify its role. This paper aims to ascertain whether the expression of GAL-3 is increased in relevant in vitro and in vivo models of skin fibrosis. We studied the role of GAL-3 in vitro using normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and fibrocytes. In addition, we used a skin fibrosis murine model (BALB/c mice) and human biopsies of healthy or keloid tissue. GAL-3 expression was analyzed using real time PCR, Western blot and immunostaining techniques. We report a significantly increased expression of GAL-3 in NHDF and fibrocytes cell cultures following stimulation with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1). In vivo, GAL-3 expression was increased in a murine model of systemic sclerosis and in human keloid biopsies. In sum, this study underlines the involvement of GAL-3 in skin fibrosis using several models of the disease and highlights its role as a relevant target.

Keywords

ActivationAlpha smooth muscle actinAnimalAnimal experimentAnimal modelAnimalsArticleBeta actinCell cultureCollagen type 1Connective tissue growth factorControlled studyDensitometryDisease modelDisease models, animalFibroblastFibroblastsFibrocytesFibrosisGalectin 3Galectin-3Gene expressionGeneticsHumanHuman cellHuman tissueHumansHypochloriteImmunofluorescenceImmunohistochemistryIn vitro studyIn vivo studyKeloidLevelMessenger rnaMetabolismMiceMicroscope imageMolecular markerMolecular weightMolecular-mechanismsMouseMurine modelMyofibroblastMyofibroblastsNonhumanPathologyProtein expressionQuality of lifeReal time polymerase chain reactionScleroderma, systemicSkinSkin biopsySkin diseaseSkin diseasesSkin fibrosisSystemic sclerosisSystemic-sclerosisTgf-betaTransforming growth factor beta1Western blotting

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal International Journal Of Molecular Sciences due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2022, it was in position 66/285, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 1.32, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Oct 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-10-15, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 3
  • Scopus: 3
  • Europe PMC: 3

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-10-15:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 17 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.