title: Immunohistochemical Studies on Galectin Expression in Colectomised Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aetiology and pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) are essentially unknown. Galectins are carbohydrate-binding lectins involved in a large number of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Little is known about the role of galectins in human UC. In this immunohistochemical exploratory study, both epithelial and inflammatory cell galectin expression were studied in patients with a thoroughly documented clinical history and were correlated with inflammatory activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surgical whole intestinal wall colon specimens from UC patients (n = 22) and controls (n = 10) were studied. Clinical history, pharmacological treatment, and modified Mayo-score were recorded. Tissue inflammation was graded, and sections were stained with antibodies recognizing galectin-1, galectin-2, galectin-3, and galectin-4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Galectin-1 was undetectable in normal and UC colonic epithelium, while galectin-2, galectin-3, and galectin-4 were strongly expressed. A tendency towards diminished epithelial expression with increased inflammatory grade for galectin-2, galectin-3, and galectin-4 was also found. In the inflammatory cells, a strong expression of galectin-2 and a weak expression of galectin-3 were seen. No clear-cut correlation between epithelial galectin expression and severity of the disease was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Galectin expression in patients with UC seems to be more dependent on disease focality and individual variation than on degree of tissue inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mattias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Block
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mölne
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Hakon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leffler
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Börjesson
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Breimer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003082:Colectomy; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D037501:Galectin 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D037541:Galectin 4 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D037483:Galectin 1; D037501:Galectin 2; D037502:Galectin 3; D037541:Galectin 4