Galectin-1 and galectin-3 binding pattern expression in renal cell carcinomas.
We studied 2 families of molecules whose role remains uncharacterized or obscure in the progress of renal cell carcinoma (RCC): galectins, a major class of glycoproteins, and the Thomsen-Friedenreich (T) antigen. We characterized the level of expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 and their respective binding sites in a series of 74 RCCs. We also characterized the level of expression of laminin, a natural ligand for galectins. Finally, we characterized the level of T antigen expression and the T antigen binding sites. All levels of expression were quantitatively determined by using computer-assisted microscopy on immunohistochemically or glycohistochemically stained slides. A small concentration of galectin-1 binding sites or a large concentration heterogeneity of galectin-3 can be associated with unfavorable prognoses for patients with grade II or III RCCs. In contrast, T antigen and T antigen binding sites revealed no change across the 2 RCC groups that exhibited different clinical outcomes. We established discriminant scores that permitted a clear distinction between the 2 RCC groups analyzed. Modifications to the expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3, but not of T antigen, parallel an increase in RCC aggressiveness. Galectins represent a family of molecules with a meaningful role in RCC progression.
François
C
C
Laboratory of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
van Velthoven
R
R
De Lathouwer
O
O
Moreno
C
C
Peltier
A
A
Kaltner
H
H
Salmon
I
I
Gabius
H J
HJ
Danguy
A
A
Decaestecker
C
C
Kiss
R
R
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000378:metabolism; D001665:Binding Sites; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D037483:Galectin 1; D037502:Galectin 3; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D037483:Galectin 1; D037502:Galectin 3; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D007797:Laminin; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C016467:Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen