Expression of the endogenous galactose-binding protein galectin-3 correlates with the malignant potential of tumors in the central nervous system.
BACKGROUND
The 31-kilodalton beta-galactoside-binding protein galectin-3 has been associated with cellular transformation and metastasis. Because neural tissues contain large amounts of glycoconjugates, and endogenous carbohydrate-binding proteins have been described in the human brain, the authors examined the expression of galectin-3 in human brain tumors and metastases to the central nervous system.


METHODS
Brain tumors were categorized by the World Health Organization system and galectin-3 expression by immunoperoxidase staining using a quantitative staining score.


RESULTS
Glioblastomas (Grade 4 astrocytomas) all stained strongly for galectin-3, whereas low grade astrocytomas (Grade 2) did not express the endogenous lectin. Anaplastic astrocytomas (Grade 3) exhibited intermediate expression. The staining score was significantly associated with tumor grade (P < 0.001). Normal brain tissue and benign tumors did not express galectin-3, whereas metastases to the brain were all positive for galectin-3 expression. Metastases expressed significantly more galectin-3 than the primary tumors from which they were derived (P = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Galectin-3 expression correlates with the malignant potential of tumors in the central nervous system.
Bresalier
R S
RS
Cancer Research Laboratory, Henry Ford Health Sciences Center, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
Yan
P S
PS
Byrd
J C
JC
Lotan
R
R
Raz
A
A
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism*; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D005690:Galactose / Q000378:metabolism; D037502:Galectin 3; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D037502:Galectin 3; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D005690:Galactose