Galectin-3: cellular distribution and correlation with WHO-grade in human gliomas.
In order to elucidate the reason for conflicting results that have been published previously on galectin-3 expression in human gliomas, we used single labeling and double labeling immunohistochemistry experiments to identify cellular origin and extent of galectin-3 positivity in 53 glioma-samples (16 glioblastomas, 21 anaplastic astrocytomas, 16 low-grade astrocytomas). Galectin-3 positivity was observed in neoplastic astrocytes, macrophages/microglial cells. endothelial cells and some B- and T-lymphocytes. The quantitative analysis showed that the percentage of galectin-3 positive cells was significantly higher in the tumor parenchyma of glioblastomas than in anaplastic (p = 0.0371) and low-grade astrocytomas (p = 0.0042). Single labeling with anti-CD68 antibodies revealed a significant correlation between CD68 and galectin-3 immunoreactivity (p = 0.0092). Endothelial cells were labeled in all low-grade and anaplastic astrocytomas, but only in 10/16 glioblastomas (p = 0.0003). This detailed analysis demonstrates that galectin-3 positivity in human gliomas is considerably influenced by tumor-infiltrating macrophages. The differential expression on endothelial cells raises the question if galectin-3 plays a role in tumor angiogenesis of human gliomas.
Strik
H M
HM
Institute of Brain Research, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Germany. Hstrik@aol.com
Deininger
M H
MH
Frank
B
B
Schluesener
H J
HJ
Meyermann
R
R
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism*; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000378:metabolism; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D037502:Galectin 3; D005910:Glioma / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D014944:World Health Organization; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D037502:Galectin 3; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule