Galectin-3, an endogenous lectin, as a tool for monitoring cell differentiation in head and neck carcinomas with implications for lectin-glycan functionality.
OBJECTIVE
Galectin-3 is an endogenous lectin that reacts with glycan epitopes of membrane and extracellular glycoproteins, including integrins, fibronectin, laminin and tetraspanins. Its expression, and also the presentation of its glycoligands, is controlled in a differentiation-dependent manner in squamous epithelia. The aim of this study was to monitor the carbohydrate-dependent binding of labeled galectin-3 to primary head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (from the tonsil, base of the tongue and larynx) and lymph node metastases.


METHODS
Double labeling (using antibodies against desmoplakin-1, Ki-67 and cytokeratins) at the single-cell level was employed to cytologically characterize cells reacting with galectin-3.


RESULTS
Galectin-3 binds a non-proliferating pool of tumor cells. Colocalization of galectin-3 binding sites with desmosomal proteins may indicate a role for this endogenous lectin in the formation of intercellular contacts of the desmosomal type. Cytokeratin-10-positive tumor cells also presented galectin-3-reactive binding sites on the surface; however, cytokeratin-10-free cells were also recognized by this lectin.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings intimate that galectin-3 may represent a new tool for monitoring the degree of cell differentiation in carcinomas originating from the transformation of squamous cell epithelia.
Betka
Jan
J
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Faculty Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic. Jan.Betka@lfmotol.cuni.cz
Plzák
Jan
J
Smetana
Karel
K
Gabius
Hans-Joachim
HJ
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D037102:Lectins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D037502:Galectin 3; D037102:Lectins; D008024:Ligands