Abstract | BACKGROUND: Although it has been well established that galectin-4 is selectively expressed by intestinal epithelial cells, the role of galectin-4 in colorectal cancer (CRC) development is, as yet, poorly understood. Here, we aimed to explore the role of galectin-4 in CRC development, both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry analyses showed high expression levels of galectin-4 in normal colon mucosa tissues. Conversely, the expression levels of galectin-4 were significantly lower in CRC samples and its precursor lesions with dysplasia or inflammation. We found that shRNA-mediated galectin-4 silencing increases cell proliferation and, concomitantly, activates NF-κB and STAT3 signaling along with IL-6 up-regulation. In addition, we found that shRNA-mediated galectin-4 silencing promotes the expression of NF-κB target genes and other cancer-related genes and, concomitantly, enhances the in vivo growth of xenografts. CONCLUSIONS: We show that abrogation of galectin-4 expression promotes cancer cell proliferation and, for the first time, provide evidence that down-regulation of galectin-4 elicits tumor promotion in vitro and in vivo through activation of IL-6/NF-κB/STAT3 signaling.
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Authors | Seung Won Kim, Ki Cheong Park, Soung Min Jeon, Tak Bum Ohn, Tae Il Kim, Won Ho Kim, Jae Hee Cheon |
Journal | Cellular oncology (Dordrecht)
(Cell Oncol (Dordr))
Vol. 36
Issue 2
Pg. 169-78
(Apr 2013)
ISSN: 2211-3436 [Electronic] Netherlands |
PMID | 23378274
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Galectin 4
- Interleukin-6
- NF-kappa B
- STAT3 Transcription Factor
- Cyclooxygenase 2
- PTGS2 protein, human
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Topics |
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Proliferation
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
(genetics, metabolism, pathology)
- Colorectal Neoplasms
(genetics, metabolism, pathology)
- Cyclooxygenase 2
(metabolism)
- Galectin 4
(genetics, metabolism)
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- HT29 Cells
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Interleukin-6
(metabolism)
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- NF-kappa B
(metabolism)
- RNA Interference
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- STAT3 Transcription Factor
(metabolism)
- Signal Transduction
- Transplantation, Heterologous
- Tumor Burden
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