Galectin-3 endocytosis by carbohydrate independent and dependent pathways in different macrophage like cell types

► Galectin-3 is endocytosed in macrophage-like cells within minutes. ► Galectin-3 endocytosis in M1 cells can be carbohydrate independent. ► The uptake mechanism is different for M1, M2 and other cells. ► In macrophage-like cells galectin-3 enhances its own uptake. ► Most endocytosed galectin-3 is not targeted for degradation but remains after 24 h.