Galectin-1 is essential in tumor angiogenesis and is a target for antiangiogenesis therapy.
We describe that galectin-1 (gal-1) is a receptor for the angiogenesis inhibitor anginex, and that the protein is crucial for tumor angiogenesis. gal-1 is overexpressed in endothelial cells of different human tumors. Expression knockdown in cultured endothelial cells inhibits cell proliferation and migration. The importance of gal-1 in angiogenesis is illustrated in the zebrafish model, where expression knockdown results in impaired vascular guidance and growth of dysfunctional vessels. The role of gal-1 in tumor angiogenesis is demonstrated in gal-1-null mice, in which tumor growth is markedly impaired because of insufficient tumor angiogenesis. Furthermore, tumor growth in gal-1-null mice no longer responds to antiangiogenesis treatment by anginex. Thus, gal-1 regulates tumor angiogenesis and is a target for angiostatic cancer therapy.
Thijssen
Victor L J L
VL
Angiogenesis Laboratory, Research Institute for Growth and Development (GROW), Department of Pathology, University Maastricht, 6202A2 Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Postel
Ruben
R
Brandwijk
Ricardo J M G E
RJ
Dings
Ruud P M
RP
Nesmelova
Irina
I
Satijn
Sietske
S
Verhofstad
Nicole
N
Nakabeppu
Yusaku
Y
Baum
Linda G
LG
Bakkers
Jeroen
J
Mayo
Kevin H
KH
Poirier
Françoise
F
Griffioen
Arjan W
AW
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018450:Disease Progression; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D010455:Peptides; D011485:Protein Binding; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015027:Zebrafish
D037483:Galectin 1; D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins; C111993:betapep-25 protein, synthetic