Turkish Journal of Pathology

Türk Patoloji Dergisi

Turkish Journal of Pathology

Turkish Journal of Pathology

2012, Vol 28, Num, 1     (Pages: 001-010)

Immunhistochemical Expression of Galectin-3 in Cancer: A Review of the Literature

Tuğçe ÇAY 1

1 Gül 06-05 B:26 D:4 Bahçeşehir, İSTANBUL, TURKEY

DOI: 10.5146/tjpath.2012.01090
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Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside-binding animal lectin that contains carbohydrate-recognition domains and displays multiple related functions. It has important roles in diverse biological events, such as embryogenesis, growth, cell adhesion, proliferation, differantiation, cell-cycle progression, apoptosis, mRNA splicing, and regulation of the immune system. Galectin-3 is expressed in various cells and tissues, such as activated macrophages, eosinophils, neutrophils, mast cells, epithelium of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, kidneys and some sensory neurons, and is also involved in tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis. In this review of the literature, immunohistochemical Galectin-3 expression is investigated in numerous tumors and disorders of various organ systems.

Keywords : Galectin-3, Immunohistochemistry, Cancer