Differential expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms.

  • Authors:
    • X C Xu
    • J J Sola Gallego
    • R Lotan
    • A K El-Naggar
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: August 1, 2000     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.17.2.271
  • Pages: 271-277
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Abstract

Galectins are a family of non-integrin beta-galactosidase-binding lectins. Altered expression of galectins has been associated with neoplastic transformation and progression in several human tumors. In this study, we examined the distribution patterns of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in normal (n=45), benign (n=16), and malignant (n=49) salivary gland specimens using immunohistochemistry to determine their diagnostic and/or biological implications in salivary gland tumorigenesis. In normal salivary glands, galectin-3 expression was limited to ductal cells, and galectin-1 was usually faintly detected in ductal cells and strongly positive in myoepithelial cells. In benign tumors, galectin-3 maintained the ductal localization, but galectin-1 showed variable expression in ductal and myoepithelial cells. In malignant tumors, most of the polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinomas and carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenomas expressed both galectins, whereas adenoid cystic and acinic cell carcinomas showed dramatically reduced galectin-3 expression and heterogeneous galactin-1 staining. Our data demonstrated altered localization and expression of galectin-3, and to lesser extent, galectin-1 in salivary gland carcinomas. These findings may assist in the differential diagnosis of some salivary gland malignancies, especially when using small and limited fine-needle aspiration materials.

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Aug 2000
Volume 17 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Xu X, Sola Gallego J, Lotan R and El-Naggar A: Differential expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms.. Int J Oncol 17: 271-277, 2000
APA
Xu, X., Sola Gallego, J., Lotan, R., & El-Naggar, A. (2000). Differential expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms.. International Journal of Oncology, 17, 271-277. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.17.2.271
MLA
Xu, X., Sola Gallego, J., Lotan, R., El-Naggar, A."Differential expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms.". International Journal of Oncology 17.2 (2000): 271-277.
Chicago
Xu, X., Sola Gallego, J., Lotan, R., El-Naggar, A."Differential expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms.". International Journal of Oncology 17, no. 2 (2000): 271-277. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.17.2.271