Expression of galectin-3 and carcinoembryonic antigen in the trophoblast of the gestational trophoblastic disease.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Galectin-3, an endogenous beta-galactoside- binding protein, has been implicated in the regulation of many physiological and pathological cellular processes through specific interactions with complementary ligands. The level of galectin-3 expression has been correlated with metastatic potential in many tumor types. The present study was designed to investigate possible correlation of the expression of galectin-3 with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), one of the putative galectin-3 ligands, in the transformed trophoblast of the gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTDs) compared to the invasive trophoblast (interstitial and endovascular) of the normal first trimester of pregnancy placenta.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Double immunohistochemistry was used to examine paraffin sections of 9 specimens of normal placenta, 8 cases of invasive mole and 7 cases of choriocarcinoma. Immunoreactivity was scored semiquantitatively to include both the percent of trophoblast cells stained as well as the intensity of staining.

RESULTS:

Data presented here demonstrate similar patterns of expression for galectin-3 and CEA in transformed GTDs trophoblastic cells, as well as in normal invasive trophoblast. Upregulation of galectin-3 in transformed GTDs trophoblast was followed by high levels of CEA expression in the same tissue specimen (significant differences at < 0.05, Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test).

CONCLUSION:

These results may point to the CEA as one of the ligands for galectin-3 in transformed trophoblast, which merits further investigation.

• Authors: M Bozić, S Golubović, M Petronijević, Lj Vićovac
• Journal: Journal of B.U.ON. : official journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology (J BUON) 2004 Oct-Dec Vol. 9 Issue 4 Pg. 427-32 ISSN: 1107-0625 [Print] Cyprus
• PMID: 17415850 (Publication Type: Journal Article)