Galectin-3 labeling correlates positively in tumor cells and negatively in endothelial cells with malignancy and poor prognosis in oligodendroglioma patients.
BACKGROUND
Galectin-3 modulates cell growth, transformation and metastasis in a wide range of neoplasms.


METHODS
We analyzed galectin-3 expression in a total of 69 oligodendroglioma tissue samples by immunocytochemistry double labeling and RT-PCR experiments.


RESULTS
Galectin-3 expression was observed in oligodendrocytes, endothelial cells and macrophages/microglial cells in areas of solid tumor growth. Significantly fewer galectin-3+ oligodendroglioma cells and macrophages/microglial cells were detected in WHO grade II oligodendrogliomas than in their matched relapses and in WHO grade III anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. Inversely, significantly more galectin-3+ endothelial cells were detected in WHO grade II oligodendrogliomas than in their matched relapses and in WHO grade III anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. Patients with low endothelial galectin-3 labeling scores in primary oligodendrogliomas and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas had significantly shorter time to progression and overall survival than patients with high endothelial galectin-3 labeling scores.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude from these data that the cell-type specific expression of galectin-3 is differentially involved in oligodendroglioma pathology.
Deininger
Martin H
MH
Institute of Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Medical School Tuebingen, Germany. martin.deininger@uni-tuebingen.de
Trautmann
Katrin
K
Meyermann
Richard
R
Schluesener
Hermann J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004727:Endothelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D037502:Galectin 3