OBJECTIVETo study the expression of Galectin-3 and CDC25B mRNA in gastric carcinoma and their correlation with clinical-pathological features and the survival time.

METHODSTissue microarray (TMA) technique and in situ hybridization were used to detect the expression of Galectin-3 and CDC25B mRNA in 220 gastric carcinoma specimens and 31 normal gastric mucosa samples.

RESULTSIn situ hybridization results revealed that from the 220 cases, the positive expression rate of Galectin-3 and CDC25B mRNA were 58.6% and 54.1%, respectively. There was significant relationship between the Galectin-3 mRNA expression and tumor diameter, advanced TNM stage, invasion depth, vessel invasion, lymph node and distant metastasis. There was significant relationship between CDC25B mRNA expression and tumor diameter, advanced TNM stage, vessel invasion, lymph node and distant metastasis. In addition, there was apositive relationship of Galectin-3 and CDC25B mRNA expression. Finally, the mean survival time in cases with Galectin-3 and CDC25B mRNA positive expression was significantly shorter than those without Galectin-3 and CDC25B expression.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of Galectin-3 and CDC25B mRNA appears to act as a promoting factor in the onset and development of gastric cancer. It can be used as a marker of prognosis of gastric carcinoma in clinical practice.

Female ; Galectin 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; cdc25 Phosphatases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory role of α-1, 6-fucosyltransferase (FUT8) in TGF-β1-induced proliferation, migration and fibrosis of human embryonic lung fibroblasts (MRC-5 cells) and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: C57/BL6 mice were randomized into 4 groups for treatment with saline (control group), bleomycin, bleomycin+sh-NC or bleomycin+sh-FUT8, and pulmonary fibrosis was observed using Masson staining.MRC-5 cells were transfected with si-NC, FUT8 siRNA (si-FUT8), or both si-FUT8 and a galectin-3(Gal-3) overexpression plasmid (pcDNA3.1-Gal) prior to TGF-β1 treatment, and the changes in cell proliferation and migration were assessed using CCK-8 assay, BrdU assay, and wound healing assay; the changes in the expression levels of α-SMA, collagen I (COLIA1) and extracellular matrix fibronectin (FN) were detected with real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting.The interaction of FUT8 and Gal-3 was tested using coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay, and the effect of FUT8 silencing on Gal-3 and FAK/Akt signaling pathways was analyzed. RESULTS: FUT8 knockdown significantly reduced bleomycin-induced extracellular collagen deposition in the lung tissues of the mice.Silencing FUT8 obviously inhibited cell proliferation (P < 0.05) and migration mediated by TGF-β1.FUT8 knockdown down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of α-SMA, COLIA1 and FN (P < 0.05) in the cells.Coimmunoprecipitation analysis showed that FUT8 interacted with Gal-3.Silencing FUT8 significantly down-regulated Gal-3 expression and inhibited the activation of the FAK/Akt signaling pathway (P < 0.05).Overexpression of Gal-3 obviously reversed the effects of FUT8 silencing on cell proliferation, migration and fibrosis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION FUT8 regulates TGF-β1-induced proliferation, migration and fibrosis of MRC-5 cells by modulating Gal-3 expression, in which the FAK/Akt pathway may play a role.
Animals ; Bleomycin/metabolism* ; Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Fibrosis ; Fucosyltransferases/metabolism* ; Galectin 3/genetics* ; Humans ; Lung/metabolism* ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of galectin-3 (Gal-3) in prolactinomas.

METHODSExpressions of Gal-3 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using polyclonal antibody in 16 invasive prolactinomas and 16 prolactinomas.

RESULTSGal-3 was expressed both in invasive prolactinomas and noninvasive prolactinomas while significantly higher expression seen in the invasive prolactinomas (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGal-3 expression may be used as a useful indicator to determine the invasiveness and prognosis of prolactinomas.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Galectin 3 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Prolactinoma ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo construct a recombinant lentiviral U6 plasmids for RNA interference (RNAi) of galectin-3 gene and select the optimal target sequence of galectin-3 gene for RNAi.

METHODSDouble-stranded oligo DNAs were designed and synthesized according to the sequence of galectin-3 gene, and ligated into linearized pGCL-GFP/U6 plasmid followed by transformation into competent DH5alpha cells. After PCR and sequence analysis for verification of the positive clones, the plasmid pGCL-GFP/U6 Gal-3shRNA-1 was extracted and transfected into CaCl2-treated 293T cells to obtain the viral vectors containing the RNAi sequence. MCF-7 cells were infected with pGCL-GFP/U6 Gal-3shDNA-1, and at the infection rate over 50%, the cells were harvested to extract the RNA. Real time-PCR was performed to determine the expression level of galectin-3 mRNA in the infected cells.

RESULTSThe recombinant vector was successfully constructed as confirmed by sequence analysis. High titer of the virus was obtained, and after infection of MCF-7 cells, RNAi targeting the 1# and 3# sequences in galectin-3 gene resulted in suppression of galectin-3 mRNA expression by 95% and 85%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant lentiviral U6 plasmid for RNAi of Galectin-3 gene has been successfully constructed, which provides the basis for further study of the role of galectin-3 gene in tumor cells.

Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Galectin 3 ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between the expressions of galectin-3 and E-cadherin and lymph node metastasis of colon cancer.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was employed to examine the expressions of E-cadherin and galectin-3 in 37 colon cancer samples, among which 21 samples underwent RT-PCR for E-cadherin and galectin-3 mRNA expressions. The correlation of E-cadherin and galectin-3 expressions with lymph node metastasis of the tumor was analyzed.

RESULTSThe positivity rate of galectin-3 expression was 83.8% (31/37) in these samples. Of the tumor cases with lymph node metastasis, 94.7% (18/19) of the tumors were positive for galectin-3 expression, a rate significantly higher than that in non-metastatic cases. The positivity rate of E-cadherin expression was 59.5% (22/37) in the total cases, and 47.4% (9/19) in the metastatic cases, significantly lower than that in the non-metastatic cases.

CONCLUSIONGalectin-3 and E-cadherin expressions are associated with lymph node metastasis of colon cancer and may serve as potential prognostic indicators for colon cancer patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; genetics ; Cadherins ; genetics ; Colonic Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Galectin 3 ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between galectin-3 expression and biological behaviors of human colorectal carcinoma.

METHODSSP immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of galectin-3 in 158 cases of paraffin-embedded specimens (including 30 normal mucosa, 25 adenoma, 65 carcinoma and 38 metastatic tumor specimens). Real-time RT-PCR was performed to detect galectin-3 mRNA expression in 31 pairs of fresh carcinoma and corresponding adjacent normal mucosa specimens.

RESULTSThe expression levels of galectin-3 was significantly different between normal mucosa and adenoma tissues (P<0.001), and moderately or well differentiated colorectal carcinomas showed significantly lower expression of the galectin-3 than the poorly differentiated carcinomas (P=0.03). Invasive carcinomas exhibited higher galectin-3 expression levels than non-invasive ones (P<0.001), and galectin-3 expression in the colorectal carcinomas was significantly related with the lymph node metastasis (P<0.001). Galectin-3 mRNA expression in poorly differentiated colorectal carcinomas was about 1.98 times that in moderately or well differentiated colorectal carcinomas (P=0.03), and in invasive carcinomas, galectin-3 mRNA expression was 1.67 times higher than that in non-invasive ones (P<0.001). Galectin-3 mRNA expression in tumors with lymph node metastasis was 1.91 times that in non-metastatic tumors (P=0.013).

CONCLUSIONGalectin-3 expression is positively correlated with and invasion, poor differentiation and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Galectin 3 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Survival of motor neurons(SMN) protein is the product of spinal muscular atrophy(SMA) gene. Now the function researching of SMN protein has become hotspot field to discuss the pathogenic mechanism of SMA. The construction, distribution and function of SMN protein are reviewed in this paper.
Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; Galectin 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Galectin 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Minor Histocompatibility Antigens ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; Research ; trends ; Research Design ; Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear ; SMN Complex Proteins ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of galectin-3 (gal-3) and Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) and determine their clinicopathological significance in breast cancers and benign breast lesions. METHODS: Envison immunohistochemistry for staining gal-3 expression, and ABC affinity-cytochemistry to detect SNA expression were used in paraffin-embedded slides from specimens of breast cancers (n=60) and benign lesions (n=30). RESULTS: The positive rates and scoring means of gal-3 and SNA were significantly higher in breast cancer (48.3%, 2.07 +/- 2.25, 2.12 +/- 2.26) than those in benign lesions (26.7%, 1.03 +/- 1.63, 1.07 +/- 1.59, P < 0.05). The scoring means of gal-3 and SNA expression were significantly lower in the positive cases of estrogen receptor (ER) and the negative ones of CA15-3 than those in the negative cases and the positive ones (P < 0.05).The survival analysis of Kaplan-Meier showed the 5-year survival rate and mean survival period were significantly lower in the gal-3 or SNA expression positive cases than those in the negative cases of breast cancer (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The expressive level of gal-3 and SNA lectins might have important effect on the carcinogenesis, progression and biologic behaviors of breast cancer. The positive cases of gal-3 and /or SNA expression might have poor prognosis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Fibrocystic Breast Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Galectin 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Plant Lectins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Ribosome Inactivating Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between expression of galectin-3 (Gal-3) and osteopontin (OPN) in occult metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODSForty-six patients of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from January 2006 to October 2007 were selected. There were 28 males and 18 females, aged from 33 to 77 years old. The levels of lung tissues Gal-3 and OPN were detected by RT-PCR, and the levels of blood plasma's were measured by ELISA.

RESULTSThere were 12 patients who had metastasized. In un-metastasis group the Gal-3 and OPN mRNA expression levels were significantly lower than that in metastasis group: mean value were 0.07 +/- 0.17 and 0.17 +/- 0.25 in un-metastasis group, while 0.73 +/- 0.23 and 0.79 +/- 0.24 in metastasis group. Blood plasma levels of Gal-3 (18.8 +/- 7.9) microg/L and OPN (153.5 +/- 63.5) microg/L in NSCLC which were detected from metastasis group were higher than un-metastasis group of (9.2 +/- 5.6) microg/L and (89.2 +/- 24.0) microg/L.

CONCLUSIONSHigh serum levels of Gal-3 and OPN and high expression of Gal-3 and OPN mRNA in NSCLC are closely related to the occurrence and metastasis of NSCLC. They may be indexes of evaluating the occult metastasis in NSCLC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Galectin 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Osteopontin ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of RhoA down-regulation by RNA interference on the invasion of tongue carcinoma Tca8113 and SCC-4.

METHODSDetermination of the human RhoA sequence as well as the design and constructionof a short specific small interfering RNAs (siRNA) were performed. The siRNA of RhoA gene was transfected into humantongue squamous cell carcinoma Tca8113 and SCC-4 cells line by Lipofectamine 2000. Quantitative real-time polymerasechain reaction was used to examine the mRNA expressionlevels of RhoA. Protein expressions of mRNA, galectin-3,and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were evaluated byWestern blot. Transwell invasion assay was performed toassess the invasion ability of tongue carcinoma.

RESULTSRhoA expressions in Tca8113 and SCC-4 cells were reducedsignificantly after transfection of RhoA-siRNA. Protein levels f galectin-3 and MVP-9 were also down-regulated significantly. Invasion ability was inhibited as well.

CONCLUSIONRhoA-siRNA can effectively inhibit RhoA expression in Tca8113 and SCC-4 cells. The invasion ability of tongue carcinoma cells decreased with down-regulation of the protein expressions of galectin-3 and MMP-9, indicating that RhoA-siRNA can inhibit invasion of tongue carcinoma. Results show that RhoA may play an important role in the processes of invasion and metastasis of tongue carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Galectin 3 ; metabolism ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Tongue Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transfection