Increased expression of galectin-1 during the progression of cervical neoplasia. Issue 6 (1st October 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kohrenhagen, N.; Volker, H. U.; Kapp, M.; Dietl, J.; Kammerer, U.
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynecological cancer. Volume 16:Issue 6(2006)
• Page Start: 2018
• Page End: 2022
• Publication Date: 2006-10-01
• Subjects: cervical intraepithelial neoplasia -- cervix neoplasm -- galectin-1 -- immunohistochemistry -- squamous cell; Generative organs, Female -- Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.99465
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1438.2006.00741.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1048-891X

Abstract

Abstract : Galectin-1, a member of the β-galactoside-binding family, is widely expressed in epithelial and immune cells. It is involved in several normal and pathologic processes, such as cancer progression, metastasis, and immunobiology. Galectin-1 was found to be overexpressed in various cancer cells and the corresponding benign tissue. Therefore, it has been described as a marker for tumor progression in some malignancies. In the current study, the expression of galectin-1 was examined in 80 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cervical tissues: 20 benign cervical specimen, 20 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LGSIL), 20 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HGSIL), and 20 invasive squamous cell carcinomas (ISCC). Immunohistochemical analyses showed that the intensity of the galectin-1 expression on stromal cells next to the transformed cells increased according to the pathologic grade: benign cervical tissue < LGSIL < HGSIL < ISCC ( P < 0.001). The epithelial cells were always negative for galectin-1. These results suggest that galectin-1 expression on stromal cells increases with the histopathologic grade of cervical tissues, and it can be concluded that this increase is associated with the progression of cervical neoplasia.