Galectin 3 expression in primary oral squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract

BackgroundImmunologic factors can promote the progression of oral squamous cell carcinomas (oscc). The phylogenetic highly conserved protein Galectin 3 (Gal3) contributes to cell differentiation and immune homeostasis. There is evidence that Gal3 is involved in the progression of oscc and influences the regulation of macrophage polarization. Macrophage polarization (M1 vs. M2) in solid malignancies like oscc contributes to tumor immune-escape. However, the relationship between macrophage polarization and Gal3 expression in oscc is not yet understood. The current study analyzes the association between histomorphologic parameters (T-, N-, L- Pn-status, grading) and Gal3 expression resp. the ratio between Gal3 expressing cells and CD68 positive macrophages in oscc specimens.MethodsPreoperative diagnostic biopsies (n = 26) and tumor resection specimens (n = 34) of T1/T2 oscc patients were immunohistochemically analyzed for Gal3 and CD68 expression. The number of Gal3 expressing cells and the ratio between CD68 and Gal3 expressing cells was quantitatively assessed.ResultsIn biopsy and tumor resection specimens, the number of Gal3 positive cells as well as the Gal3/CD68 ratio were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in T2 oscc compared to T1 cases. In biopsy specimens, a significantly (p < 0.05) increased Gal3 expression and Gal3/CD68 ratio was associated with the progression marker lymph vessel infiltration (L1). Tumor resection specimens of cases with lymph node metastases (N+) had a significantly (p < 0.05) increased Gal3 expression. Additionally, a high Gal3/CD68 ratio correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with higher grading (G3) in tumor resection specimens.ConclusionHigh Gal3 expression in oscc is associated with tumor size (T-status) and parameters of malignancy (N-, L-status, grading). Gal3 might contribute to M2 macrophage mediated local immune tolerance. Gal3 expression shows association with prognosis in oscc and represent a potential therapeutic target.

Galectin 3 expression in regional lymph nodes and lymph node metastases of oral squamous cell carcinomas

“…In tumor resection specimens, there was a significant positive correlation between Gal3 expressing cells and MRC1 positive macrophages. These data support the hypothesis that a relevant part of the Gal3 positive cells are M2-polarized macrophages [ 18 ]. M2-polarized macrophages might utilize Gal3 as immune checkpoint molecule to inhibit T-cell activation.…”

“…In oscc tumor tissue, high Gal3 expression was shown to correlate with histomorphologic parameters of malignancy. Accordingly, oscc with histologically proven lymph node metastases (pN+) showed a significantly increased infiltration of Gal3 positive cells in tumor resection specimens [ 18 ]. Additionally, larger tumor size (T2 vs. T1) was associated with higher Gal3 expression [ 18 ].…”

“…Accordingly, oscc with histologically proven lymph node metastases (pN+) showed a significantly increased infiltration of Gal3 positive cells in tumor resection specimens [ 18 ]. Additionally, larger tumor size (T2 vs. T1) was associated with higher Gal3 expression [ 18 ]. In contrast to primary tumor tissue, the regulation of Gal3 expression in regional lymph nodes of oscc patients has not yet been investigated.…”

Galectins: Multitask signaling molecules linking fibroblast, endothelial and immune cell programs in the tumor microenvironment

“…In addition to its role in T-cell biology, Gal-3 expression has also been associated to macrophage polarization towards an M2 phenotype [137], as well as to inhibition of NK cell activity [138][139][140]. This lectin impairs NK cell functions through binding to the NKp30 receptor, thus allowing tumor cell evasion of NK cell attack [140].…”

Evaluation of the serum levels of galectin‐3 in patients with oral lichen planus disease

“…Teymoortash, Pientka, Schrader, Tiemann, and Werner () show that galectin‐3 expression was significantly associated with regional and distant metastasis in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and may be used as an indicator in the prediction of metastatic spread in ACC. Weber et al () show that expression of galectin‐3 in biopsy specimens of OSCC patients depending on histomorphologic parameters and T2 biopsy specimens revealed a significantly higher level of galectin‐3 than T1 cases. The expression of galectin‐3 was also quantified in the oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) and normal surrounding tissues which confirms its overexpression in OTSCC samples (Wang, Chen, Zhuang, Li, & Song, ).…”