Galectin-3: cellular distribution and correlation with WHO-grade in human gliomas

• Published in: Journal of neuro-oncology Vol. 53; no. 1; pp. 13 - 20
• Main Authors: STRIK, Herwig M, DEININGER, Martin H, FRANK, Brigitte, SCHLUESENER, Herrmann J, MEYERMANN, Richard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.05.2001; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antigens, CD - metabolism; Antigens, Differentiation - metabolism; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Neoplasms - classification; Brain Neoplasms - metabolism; Brain Neoplasms - pathology; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Galectin 3; Glioma - classification; Glioma - metabolism; Glioma - pathology; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Macrophages - metabolism; Medical sciences; Neoplasm Staging; Neurology; Tumors of the nervous system. Phacomatoses; World Health Organization; Galectin; Histological grading; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Pathology; Nervous system diseases; Glioma; Central nervous system disease; Distribution; Tumor; Gene expression; Carcinogenesis
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1011874800612
• ISSN: 0167-594X

In order to elucidate the reason for conflicting results that have been published previously on galectin-3 expression in human gliomas, we used single labeling and double labeling immunohistochemistry experiments to identify cellular origin and extent of galectin-3 positivity in 53 glioma-samples (16 glioblastomas, 21 anaplastic astrocytomas, 16 low-grade astrocytomas). Galectin-3 positivity was observed in neoplastic astrocytes, macrophages/microglial cells. endothelial cells and some B- and T-lymphocytes. The quantitative analysis showed that the percentage of galectin-3 positive cells was significantly higher in the tumor parenchyma of glioblastomas than in anaplastic (p = 0.0371) and low-grade astrocytomas (p = 0.0042). Single labeling with anti-CD68 antibodies revealed a significant correlation between CD68 and galectin-3 immunoreactivity (p = 0.0092). Endothelial cells were labeled in all low-grade and anaplastic astrocytomas, but only in 10/16 glioblastomas (p = 0.0003). This detailed analysis demonstrates that galectin-3 positivity in human gliomas is considerably influenced by tumor-infiltrating macrophages. The differential expression on endothelial cells raises the question if galectin-3 plays a role in tumor angiogenesis of human gliomas.