The galectin-3 protein, also known as Mac-2, hMac-2, GALBP, CBP35 or LGALS3, contains a single carbohydrate binding domain, which binds galactose-containing glycoconjugates. galectin-3 is expressed in colonic and intestinal epithelium, inflammatory macrophages, papillary and follicular carcinomas, neoplastic astrocytes and some B and T lymphocytes. Upregulated expression of galectin-3 is involved in cancer progression and metastasis. galectin-3 mediates the endocytosis of ?-1 Integrins in a lactose-dependant manner and is associated with thyroid malignancy and Crohn’s disease. It may also be used as a marker for diagnosing cases involving Hurthle cell adenomas and carcinomas.