galectin-1 and galectin-3 expression in human bladder transitional-cell carcinomas

Int J Cancer. 1999 Feb 19;84(1):39-43. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19990219)84:1<39::aid-ijc8>3.0.co;2-e.

Abstract

Galectin-1 and galectin-3 are galactoside-binding proteins involved in different steps of tumor progression and potential targets for therapy. We have investigated the expression of these galectins in 38 human bladder transitional-cell carcinomas of different histological grade and clinical stage and in 5 normal urothelium samples. Galectin-1 mRNA levels were highly increased in most high-grade tumors compared with normal bladder or low-grade tumors. Western blot and immuno-histochemical analysis of normal and neoplastic tissues revealed a higher content of galectin-1 in tumors. Galectin-3 mRNA levels were also increased in most tumors compared with normal urothelium, but levels were comparable among tumors of different histological grade.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antigens, Differentiation / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, Differentiation / genetics
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / pathology
  • Female
  • Galectin 1
  • Galectin 3
  • Hemagglutinins / biosynthesis*
  • Hemagglutinins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Urethra / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / genetics
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • Galectin 1
  • Galectin 3
  • Hemagglutinins
  • RNA, Messenger