Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2006 Aug;49(8):812-816.

Clinical Significance of the Expression of Galectin-3 in Thyroid Tumor

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea. ys20805@chol.com
  • 2Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside binding protein, of which the major function is not fully elucidated in malignant tumor. However, galectin-3 is expressed in epithelial cells and contributes to the progression of cancer. Although galectin-3 is expressed in a variety of tissues and plays important roles in malignant transformation or tumor progression, the study on its expression related to clinicopathological parameters in thyroid tumor is rare. So, the present study aims to find out the clinical significance of galectin-3 in thyroid tumor.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We assessed mRNA and protein expressions of the galectin-3 gene by means of the RT-PCR method and immunohistochemical staining in 100 cases of thyroid tumors (50 papillary carcinomas, 10 follicular carcinomas, 20 follicular adenomas, 20 nodular hyperplasia). The expression of galectin-3 is compared with the clinical prognostic factors of thyroid papillary cancer.
RESULTS
Using RT-PCR, galectin-3 mRNA was detected in 41 (82%) in papillary carcinoma, 6 (60%) in follicular carcinoma, 8 (40%) in follicular adenoma and 9 (45%) in nodular hyperplasia cases. Using immunohistochemical staining, galectin-3 protein expressions were detected in 46 (92%), 7 (70%), 3 (15%) and 1 (5%). The expressions of the galectin-3 mRNA and protein were significantly recognized in thyroid papillary carcinoma. However, the galectin-3 mRNA and protein over-expression is not significantly correlated with the clinical prognostic factors of thyroid papillary carcinoma.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that galectin-3 expression may be associated with thyroid papillary carcinoma development.

Keyword

Thyroid tumor; Galectin-3

MeSH Terms

Adenoma
Carcinoma, Papillary
Carrier Proteins
Epithelial Cells
Galectin 3*
Hyperplasia
RNA, Messenger
Thyroid Gland*
Carrier Proteins
Galectin 3
RNA, Messenger
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