title: Galectin-3 expression correlates with apoptosis of tumor-associated lymphocytes in human melanoma biopsies.
abstract: The immune system recognizes diverse melanoma antigens. However, tumors can evade the immune response, therefore growing and progressing. It has been reported that galectin-3 and galectin-1 can induce apoptosis of activated lymphocytes. However, there is strong evidence indicating that the regulation of galectins function in the human tumor microenvironment is a complex process that is influenced by diverse biological circumstances. Here, we have investigated 33 biopsies (eight primary and 25 metastases) from 24 melanoma patients (15-72 years old) and describe the correlation between the expression of galectin-3 or galectin-1 and the level of apoptosis of tumor-associated lymphocytes using immunohistochemistry and an in situ nick translation assay. The range of galectin-3-positive tumor cells varied between 0% and 93% and that of galectin-1-positive tumor cells varied between 5% and 97%. In addition, 23 +/- 27% of tumor-associated lymphocytes were apoptotic. Although our results show a correlation between galectin-3 expression and apoptosis of tumor-associated lymphocytes, we could not find such correlation with galectin-1. Considering the complex process of cancer immunoediting, various interacting factors must be considered.
authors.affiliation: Fundación Instituto Leloir, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Mariana Rodríguez
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Zubieta
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Furman
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barrio
authors.forename: Alicia Inés
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Bravo
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Domenichini
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mordoh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D001706:Biopsy; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D037483:Galectin 1; D037502:Galectin 3; C445499:LGALS1 protein, human