Buttery R, Monaghan H, Salter D M, Sethi T
Division of Pathology, School of Sciences and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Histopathology. 2004 Apr;44(4):339-44. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2004.01815.x.
To compare the histological expression of galectin-3 in different lung cancers, including small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the UK. Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside binding protein with a controversial role in malignant transformation. SCLC metastasizes early and is initially chemosensitive; NSCLC metastasizes later, offering the chance of surgical cure, but is much less chemosensitive. Mixed tumours present a diagnostic and therapeutic problem, with a poorer response to therapy. Insight into the cellular mechanisms that govern metastasis and chemoresistance will profoundly influence the future management of this disease.
In this study the histological expression of galectin-3 was assessed in a panel of lung tumour specimens, using the indirect streptavidin-biotin method. A striking difference in galectin-3 expression was observed between tumours, with high expression in NSCLC (42/47 samples) and low expression in SCLC (negative in 13/18, weak in 5/18).
This differential expression of galectin-3 between histological types of lung carcinoma suggests that galectin-3 may have an important influence on tumour cell adhesion, apoptosis and the response of tumours to chemotherapy.
比较半乳糖凝集素-3在不同类型肺癌中的组织学表达，包括小细胞肺癌（SCLC）和非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）。肺癌是英国癌症死亡的主要原因。半乳糖凝集素-3是一种β-半乳糖苷结合蛋白，在恶性转化中作用存在争议。小细胞肺癌早期转移且最初对化疗敏感；非小细胞肺癌转移较晚，有手术治愈机会，但对化疗敏感性低得多。混合性肿瘤存在诊断和治疗难题，对治疗反应较差。深入了解控制转移和化疗耐药的细胞机制将深刻影响该疾病的未来治疗。
在本研究中，采用间接链霉亲和素-生物素法在一组肺肿瘤标本中评估半乳糖凝集素-3的组织学表达。在肿瘤之间观察到半乳糖凝集素-3表达存在显著差异，非小细胞肺癌中高表达（42/47个样本），小细胞肺癌中低表达（13/18个为阴性，5/18个为弱阳性）。
肺癌组织学类型之间半乳糖凝集素-3的这种差异表达表明，半乳糖凝集素-3可能对肿瘤细胞黏附、凋亡以及肿瘤对化疗的反应有重要影响。
