EXPRESSION OF GALECTINS IN HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA

Background. Galectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins thought to be important for cell growth and differentiation, whose expression is alt ered in some tumors with aggressive phenotype. Our objective was to ev aluate the expression of galectins in head and neck squamous cell carc inoma (HNSCC). Methods. Fourteen HNSCC cell lines and four primary tum or specimens were evaluated using immunoblotting, and immunohistochemi cal analysis was performed on 35 primary HNSCCs. Results. Galectin-1 a nd galectin-3 were expressed in most HNSCC cell lines and primary tumo r specimens. Galectin-1 was detected in the basal layer of normal adja cent mucosa, in connective tissue stroma, and at the periphery of inva sive tumor islands. Galectin-3 localized to superficial mucosal layers , and adjacent to keratin pearls in invasive carcinoma. Conclusions. G alectins are manifested in HNSCC tumors and are localized to the cell surface, where they may participate in cellular interactions. The expr ession pattern of galectins appears to be associated with degree of sq uamous differentiation, suggesting a potential role for galectins as b iologic and differentiation markers in HNSCC. (C) 1996 John Wiley & So ns, Inc.