Gene-expression signature of adhesion/growth-regulatory tissue lectins (galectins) in transitional cell cancer and its prognostic relevance.

Abstract

AIMS:

Lectins, and especially galectins, appear to be important in malignancy-associated processes. The aim was to analyse comprehensively the presence of galectins in urothelial tumours.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Non-cross-reactive antibodies against seven family members from the three subgroups (prototype: galectin-1, -2 and -7; chimera type: galectin-3; tandem-repeat type: galectin-4, -8 and -9) were used. Gene expression was monitored in specimens of normal urothelium, fresh tumour tissue and cell lines by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The presence and evidence of tumour-associated up-regulation were shown for galectin-1 and -3. This was less clear-cut for galectin-4 and -8. Galectin-7 was expressed in all cell lines; galectin-2 and -9 were detected at comparatively low levels. Galectin-2, -3 and -8 up-regulation was observed in superficial tumours, but not in muscle-invasive tumours (P < 0.05). Immunoreactivity correlated with tumour grading for galectin-1, -2 and -8, and disease-dependent mortality correlated with galectin-2 and -8 expression. Binding sites were visualized using labelled galectins.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results demonstrate a complex expression pattern of the galectin network in urothelial carcinomas. Galectin-1, -2, -3 and -8 are both potential disease markers and also possible targets for bladder cancer therapy.

• Authors: S Langbein, J Brade, J K Badawi, M Hatzinger, H Kaltner, M Lensch, K Specht, S André, U Brinck, P Alken, H-J Gabius
• Journal: Histopathology (Histopathology) Vol. 51 Issue 5 Pg. 681-90 (Nov 2007) ISSN: 0309-0167 [Print] England
• PMID: 17927590 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Galectins

Topics

• Binding Sites
• Carcinoma, Transitional Cell (diagnosis, genetics, pathology)
• DNA Fingerprinting
• Galectins (genetics, metabolism)
• Gene Expression
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Neoplasm Staging
• Prognosis
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Urinary Bladder Neoplasms (diagnosis, genetics, pathology)
• Urothelium (pathology)