Immunhistochemical expression of galectin-3 in cancer: a review of the literature

Abstract

Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside-binding animal lectin that contains carbohydrate-recognition domains and displays multiple related functions. It has important roles in diverse biological events, such as embryogenesis, growth, cell adhesion, proliferation, differantiation, cell-cycle progression, apoptosis, mRNA splicing, and regulation of the immune system. Galectin-3 is expressed in various cells and tissues, such as activated macrophages, eosinophils, neutrophils, mast cells, epithelium of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, kidneys and some sensory neurons, and is also involved in tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis. In this review of the literature, immunohistochemical Galectin-3 expression is investigated in numerous tumors and disorders of various organ systems.

GAL3 Protein Expression is Related to Clinical Features of Prolactin-Secreting Pituitary Microadenoma and Predicts its Recurrence after Surgical Treatment

“…Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a 31 kDa β-galactoside-binding lectin that is immunohistochemically expressed in macrophages, lymphocytes, and endothelial cells, and in numerous types of cancer cells [1,2]. The expression of Gal-3 has been considered as a potential diagnostic and/or prognostic marker in stomach, colon-rectum, parathyroid, thyroid, breast, salivary glands, bladder, head and neck, prostate, and liver cancers [3,4,5,6,7,8].…”

Non-functioning parathyroid cystic tumour: malignant or not? Report of a case

“…The morphological and immunohistochemical features (chromogranin A+, HBME1+, TTF1, thyroglobulin-, calcitonin-) (Figure 1 c, d, h, i, j, k) were consistent with parathyroid cells, more likely chief cells. The infiltrative growth pattern within the fibrous walls, together with the immunohistochemical positivity for Galectin 3, Cyclin D1 (Figure 1 e, f) and Ki67 (accounting for 7% of neoplastic cells), the loss of MDM2 (Figure 1 g), suggest a potentially malignant behaviour (14)(15)(16).…”

“…The issue is more complicated in parathyroid cystic lesions. Some immunohistochemical features can aid to solve this diagnostic issue and several markers have been evaluated to further improve the diagnostic accuracy of a non-functioning parathyroid cyst (3,5,8,24,(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39).…”

Expressão de Galectinas-1 e 3 em Neoplasias Mieloproliferativas

“…Além disso, Gal-3 tem sido a candidata a potencial marcador molecular de diagnóstico de câncer de tireóide, pois se apresenta altamente expressa nesse tumor quando comparado ao tecido normal ou ao tecido com lesões benignas (CAY, et al;2012). Em outro trabalho também foi mostrado esse mecanismo de atuação de galectina-3.…”

“…Quando estas células foram expostas ao indutor de apoptose estaurosporina, apresentaram elevação na expressão de LGALS3. Além disso, quando LGALS3 foi silenciada nestas células endometriais, elas se tornaram mais sensíveis ao indutor de apoptose 2012). Essas observações reforçam nossa sugestão de que galectina-3 participe no processo de apoptose interagindo, de maneira ainda desconhecida, com as moléculas reguladoras da apoptose.…”