[The expression of galectin-3 in nodular thyroid goitre].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of galectin-3 in benign and malignant thyroid nodules.


METHODS
Galectin-3 expression was assayed with immunohistochemical and RT-PCR methods in thyroid specimens.


RESULTS
The majority of the specimens of thyroid carcinomas expressed galectin-3 with immunohistochemical and RT-PCR methods (89.7% and 91.7%) and the expression was significantly in different histological types. Papillary and follicular thyroid malignancies showed high expression of galectin-3 (100% positive). Comparing the specimens of thyroid carcinomas with metastases and those without metastases, the expression of galectin-3 was significantly higher in the former than in the latter. Among 25 specimens of benign adenomas and 13 specimens of nodular hyperplasia, only 3 were weakly positive and other were negative. Neither 10 specimens of normal thyroid tissue nor 25 specimens of paracarcinomatous thyroid tissue expressed galectin-3.


CONCLUSIONS
Galectin-3 may be used as a marker for differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules.
Chen
Wen-jie
WJ
Department of Gerontology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China. vingerchan@hotmail.com
Yu
Mao-hua
MH
Xu
Ying
Y
Shen
Jun
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D037502:Galectin 3