Carbohydrate binding proteins galectin-1 and galectin-3 in human trabecular meshwork.
OBJECTIVE
Galectins are a family of carbohydrate binding proteins involved in a variety of biological processes including cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. We examined galectin-1 and galectin-3 to determine if galectins are expressed in the human trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal.


METHODS
Human trabecular meshworks were dissected from donor eyes within 12 hr of death. Galectin-1 and galectin-3 expression was examined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry of galectin-1 and galectin-3 was analyzed in normal and glaucomatous tissue.


RESULTS
Expression of mRNA and protein of Galectin-1 (14 kDa) and galectin-3 (31 kDa) was found in the outflow pathway. Immunostaining revealed galectin-1 and galectin-3 throughout the meshwork, cells lining Schlemm's canal, and extracellular spaces in the inner and outer walls of the canal. Comparison of normal, POAG and PEX samples revealed no difference in location or intensity for either galectin-1 and galectin-3.


CONCLUSIONS
Galectin-1 and galectin-3 are present in human trabecular meshwork of normal and glaucomatous eyes.
Fautsch
Michael P
MP
Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. fautsch@mayo.edu
Silva
Amila O
AO
Johnson
Douglas H
DH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000737:chemistry*
D037483:Galectin 1; D037502:Galectin 3; D012333:RNA, Messenger