title: The involvement of Galectins in the modulation of the JAK/STAT pathway in myeloproliferative neoplasia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In patients with myeloproliferative neoplasia (MPN) the development of fibrosis and increased vessel density correlate with poor prognosis. The JAK2(V617F) mutation constitutively activates JAK2, which phosphorylates signal transducer activator of transcription (STAT), up-regulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which might be responsible for angiogenesis in MPN. Galectins are involved in the development of fibrosis and angiogenesis and might also be involved in activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in MPN.
  
  
  METHODS
  106 MPN patients, 36 essential thrombocythemia (ET), 25 polycythemia vera (PV) and 45 primary myelofibrosis (PMF), were analyzed for the expression pattern of galectin-1, galectin-3, pSTAT3, pSTAT5 and MVD by immunostaining of bone marrow biopsy sections followed by automated image analysis. The JAK2 mutational status was analysed through real time PCR in blood samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of galectin-1 was significantly higher in all MPN patients compared to normal controls. Galectin-3 was expressed more in PV patients. MVD was significantly higher in all MPN patients and correlated with galectin-1 and pSTAT5 expression. pSTAT5 expression showed a trend of higher expression in patients carrying the JAK2(V617F) mutation as well as in PV patients. PMF patients and all JAK2(V617F) positive patients showed a significantly higher pSTAT3 expression compared to control and ET patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest the involvement of galectin-1 in MPN development, regardless of the subtype. Furthermore involvement of galectin-3 in PV development, pSTAT5 in that of PV and JAK2(V617F) positive patients and angiogenesis, as well as pSTAT3 is involved in the pathogenesis of PMF.
authors: Suzanne M
authors: SM
authors: Koopmans
authors: Freek J
authors: FJ
authors: Bot
authors: Harry C
authors: HC
authors: Schouten
authors: Jannie
authors: J
authors: Janssen
authors: Arienne Mw
authors: AM
authors: van Marion