Differential expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms.
Galectins are a family of non-integrin beta-galactosidase-binding lectins. Altered expression of galectins has been associated with neoplastic transformation and progression in several human tumors. In this study, we examined the distribution patterns of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in normal (n=45), benign (n=16), and malignant (n=49) salivary gland specimens using immunohistochemistry to determine their diagnostic and/or biological implications in salivary gland tumorigenesis. In normal salivary glands, galectin-3 expression was limited to ductal cells, and galectin-1 was usually faintly detected in ductal cells and strongly positive in myoepithelial cells. In benign tumors, galectin-3 maintained the ductal localization, but galectin-1 showed variable expression in ductal and myoepithelial cells. In malignant tumors, most of the polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinomas and carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenomas expressed both galectins, whereas adenoid cystic and acinic cell carcinomas showed dramatically reduced galectin-3 expression and heterogeneous galactin-1 staining. Our data demonstrated altered localization and expression of galectin-3, and to lesser extent, galectin-1 in salivary gland carcinomas. These findings may assist in the differential diagnosis of some salivary gland malignancies, especially when using small and limited fine-needle aspiration materials.
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Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Sola Gallego
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Lotan
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El-Naggar
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AK
D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism*; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D037483:Galectin 1; D037502:Galectin 3; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism*
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D037483:Galectin 1; D037502:Galectin 3; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins