title: Expression patterns of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in nasal polyps and middle and inferior turbinates in relation to growth regulation and immunosuppression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The term nasal polyposis describes benign growth processes in the nasal and sinus mucosa, which are mainly located in the middle meatus and never in the inferior meatus. As a step to define the biochemical determinants relevant for growth regulation, we focused on endogenous lectins known for anti-apoptotic (galectin-3) and immunomodulatory (galectin-1) activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using computer-assisted microscopy, we performed an immunohistochemical investigation defining the quantitative parameters of expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in 10 nasal polyps, 10 middle turbinates, and 10 inferior turbinates, all of which were obtained from surgical resection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our data show that galectin-3 expression is markedly (P<.001) higher in nasal polyps than in turbinates. No relation to the allergic status was discovered. Galectin-1 expression is higher in nasal polyps than in middle turbinates (P<.001) in nonallergic patients compared with allergic ones (in glandular epithelium, P =.009; in connective tissue, P =.006). The lowest galectin-1 expression was observed in the middle turbinate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data are in line with a positive influence of galectin-3 on growth and an immunoregulatory role of galectin-1, mimicking an increased expression dependent on glucocorticoid.
authors.affiliation: Ear, Nose, and Throat Department, Erasmus University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delbrouck
authors.forename: Hans-Joachim
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Gabius
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaltner
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Decaestecker
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kiss
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hassid
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000502:physiology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014420:Turbinates / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D037483:Galectin 1; D037502:Galectin 3