Galectin-12 (Gal-12) is a lectin family member and is one of the tandem repeat-type galectins containing two carbohydrate recognition domains (CRD) connected by a linker region in a single peptide chain. The CRD is responsible for β-galactoside binding and is required to interact with the VPS13C protein. It has been reported that galectin-12 is presented in the adipose tissue but also expressed in macrophages and other leukocytes. Galectin-12 participates in many biological activities including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and cell differentiation. Moreover, galectin-12 has emerged as a crucial factor in driving the macrophage to M1 polarization, leading to inflammation and reducing insulin sensitivity in adipocytes.