Differential expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms.
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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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| Authors | X C Xu, J J Sola Gallego, R Lotan, A K El-Naggar |
| Journal | International journal of oncology (Int J Oncol) Vol. 17 Issue 2 Pg. 271-6 (Aug 2000) ISSN: 1019-6439 [Print] Greece |
| PMID | 10891535 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.) |
| Chemical References |
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