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Díaz del Arco C, Estrada Muñoz L, Cerón Nieto MDLÁ, Molina Roldán E, Fernández Aceñero MJ, García Gómez de las Heras S. Prognostic Influence of Galectin-1 in Gastric Adenocarcinoma. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1508. [PMID: 39062081 PMCID: PMC11275144 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Galectin-1 (Gal-1), a member of the human lectin family, has garnered attention for its association with aggressive behavior in human tumors, prompting research into the development of targeted drugs. This study aims to assess the staining pattern and prognostic significance of Gal-1 immunohistochemical expression in a homogeneous cohort of Western patients with gastric cancer (GC). A total of 149 cases were included and tissue microarrays were constructed. Stromal Gal-1 expression was observed to some extent in most tumors, displaying a cytoplasmic pattern. Cases with stromal Gal-1 overexpression showed significantly more necrosis, lymphovascular invasion, advanced pTNM stages, recurrences, and cancer-related deaths. Epithelial Gal-1 expression was present in 63.8% of the cases, primarily exhibiting a cytoplasmic pattern, and its overexpression was significantly associated with lymphovascular invasion, peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration, and tumor-related death. Kaplan/Meier curves for cancer-specific survival (CSS) revealed a significantly worse prognosis for patients with tumors exhibiting stromal or epithelial Gal-1 overexpression. Furthermore, stromal Gal-1 expression stratified stage III patients into distinct prognostic subgroups. In a multivariable analysis, increased stromal Gal-1 expression emerged as an independent prognostic factor for CSS. These findings underscore the prognostic relevance of Gal-1 and suggest its potential as a target for drug development in Western patients with GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Díaz del Arco
- Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Lourdes Estrada Muñoz
- Department of Pathology, Rey Juan Carlos Hospital, 28933 Móstoles, Spain;
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Móstoles, Spain;
| | - María de los Ángeles Cerón Nieto
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - María Jesús Fernández Aceñero
- Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
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2
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Wang HC, Xia R, Chang WH, Hsu SW, Wu CT, Chen CH, Shih TC. Improving cancer immunotherapy in prostate cancer by modulating T cell function through targeting the galectin-1. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1372956. [PMID: 38953033 PMCID: PMC11215701 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1372956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Our study aimed to elucidate the role of Galectin-1 (Gal-1) role in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) of prostate cancer (PCa). Our previous findings demonstrated a correlation between elevated Gal-1 expression and advanced PCa stages. In this study, we also observed that Gal-1 is expressed around the tumor stroma and its expression level is associated with PCa progression. We identified that Gal-1 could be secreted by PCa cells, and secreted Gal-1 has the potential to induce T cell apoptosis. Gal-1 knockdown or inhibition of Gal-1 function by LLS30 suppresses T cell apoptosis resulting in increased intratumoral T cell infiltration. Importantly, LLS30 treatment significantly improved the antitumor efficacy of anti-PD-1 in vivo. Mechanistically, LLS30 binds to the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) of Gal-1, disrupting its binding to CD45 leading to the suppression of T cell apoptosis. In addition, RNA-seq analysis revealed a novel mechanism of action for LLS30, linking its tumor-intrinsic oncogenic effects to anti-tumor immunity. These findings suggested that tumor-derived Gal-1 contributes to the immunosuppressive TME in PCa by inducing apoptosis in effector T cells. Targeting Gal-1 with LLS30 may offer a strategy to enhance anti-tumor immunity and improve immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Chi Wang
- Department of Research and Development, Kibio Inc., Houston, TX, United States
| | - Roger Xia
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Wen-Hsin Chang
- Division of Nephrology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Ssu-Wei Hsu
- Division of Nephrology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Chun-Te Wu
- Department of Urology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linko, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsien Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Tsung-Chieh Shih
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Torres NI, Baudou FG, Scheidegger MA, Dalotto-Moreno T, Rabinovich GA. Do galectins serve as soluble ligands for immune checkpoint receptors? J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008984. [PMID: 38599662 PMCID: PMC11015282 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-008984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas I Torres
- Laboratorio de Glicomedicina, Programa de Glicociencias, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Tecnología, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico G Baudou
- Laboratorio de Glicomedicina, Programa de Glicociencias, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marco A Scheidegger
- Laboratorio de Glicomedicina, Programa de Glicociencias, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tomás Dalotto-Moreno
- Laboratorio de Glicomedicina, Programa de Glicociencias, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriel A Rabinovich
- Laboratorio de Glicomedicina, Programa de Glicociencias, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abudu O, Nguyen D, Millward I, Manning JE, Wahid M, Lightfoot A, Marcon F, Merard R, Margielewska-Davies S, Roberts K, Brown R, Powell-Brett S, Nicol SM, Zayou F, Croft WD, Pearce H, Moss P, Iqbal AJ, McGettrick HM. Interplay in galectin expression predicts patient outcomes in a spatially restricted manner in PDAC. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 172:116283. [PMID: 38377735 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Galectins (Gal's) are a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins that are known to support the tumour microenvironment through their immunosuppressive activity and ability to promote metastasis. As such they are attractive therapeutic targets, but little is known about the cellular expression pattern of galectins within the tumour and its neighbouring stromal microenvironment. Here we investigated the cellular expression pattern of Gals within pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS Galectin gene and protein expression were analysed by scRNAseq (n=4) and immunofluorescence imaging (n=19) in fibroblasts and epithelial cells of pancreatic biopsies from PDAC patients. Galectin surface expression was also assessed on tumour adjacent normal fibroblasts and cancer associated primary fibroblasts from PDAC biopsies using flow cytometry. RESULTS scRNAseq revealed higher Gal-1 expression in fibroblasts and higher Gal-3 and -4 expression in epithelial cells. Both podoplanin (PDPN+, stromal/fibroblast) cells and EpCAM+ epithelial cells expressed Gal-1 protein, with highest expression seen in the stromal compartment. By contrast, significantly more Gal-3 and -4 protein was expressed in ductal cells expressing either EpCAM or PDPN, when compared to the stroma. Ductal Gal-4 cellular expression negatively correlated with ductal Gal-1, but not Gal-3 expression. Higher ductal cellular expression of Gal-1 correlated with smaller tumour size and better patient survival. CONCLUSIONS In summary, the intricate interplay and cell-specific expression patterns of galectins within the PDAC tissue, particularly the inverse correlation between Gal-1 and Gal-4 in ducts and its significant association with patient survival, highlights the complex molecular landscape underlying PDAC and provides valuable insights for future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oladimeji Abudu
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Duy Nguyen
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Isabel Millward
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Julia E Manning
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Mussarat Wahid
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Abbey Lightfoot
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Francesca Marcon
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Reena Merard
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | | | - Keith Roberts
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Rachel Brown
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Sarah Powell-Brett
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Samantha M Nicol
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Fouzia Zayou
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Wayne D Croft
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Hayden Pearce
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Paul Moss
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Asif J Iqbal
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Helen M McGettrick
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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Yaylim İ, Aru M, Farooqi AA, Hakan MT, Buttari B, Arese M, Saso L. Regulation of Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway in cancer drug resistance by galectin-1: cellular and molecular implications. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:8. [PMID: 38434765 PMCID: PMC10905161 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is characterized by the deregulation of the redox state in the cells, which plays a role in the initiation of various types of cancers. The activity of galectin-1 (Gal-1) depends on the cell redox state and the redox state of the microenvironment. Gal-1 expression has been related to many different tumor types, as it plays important roles in several processes involved in cancer progression, such as apoptosis, cell migration, adhesion, and immune response. The erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) signaling pathway is a crucial mechanism involved in both cell survival and cell defense against oxidative stress. In this review, we delve into the cellular and molecular roles played by Gal-1 in the context of oxidative stress onset in cancer cells, particularly focusing on its involvement in activating the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. The emerging evidence concerning the anti-apoptotic effect of Gal-1, together with its ability to sustain the activation of the Nrf2 pathway in counteracting oxidative stress, supports the role of Gal-1 in the promotion of tumor cells proliferation, immuno-suppression, and anti-tumor drug resistance, thus highlighting that the inhibition of Gal-1 emerges as a potential strategy for the restraint and regression of tumor progression. Overall, a deeper understanding of the multi-functionality and disease-specific expression profiling of Gal-1 will be crucial for the design and development of novel Gal-1 inhibitors as anticancer agents. Excitingly, although it is still understudied, the ever-growing knowledge of the sophisticated interplay between Gal-1 and Nrf2/Keap1 will enable researchers to gain valuable insights into the underlying causes of carcinogenesis and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- İlhan Yaylim
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34280, Turkiye
| | - Melek Aru
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34280, Turkiye
- Department of Medical Education, Istinye University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul 34396, Turkiye
| | - Ammad Ahmad Farooqi
- Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), Islamabad 54000, Pakistan
| | - Mehmet Tolgahan Hakan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34280, Turkiye
| | - Brigitta Buttari
- Department of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases, and Aging, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Marzia Arese
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Sapienza University, Rome 00185, Italy
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Chung H, Gyu-mi P, Na YR, Lee YS, Choi H, Seok SH. Comprehensive characterization of early-programmed tumor microenvironment by tumor-associated macrophages reveals galectin-1 as an immune modulatory target in breast cancer. Theranostics 2024; 14:843-860. [PMID: 38169569 PMCID: PMC10758049 DOI: 10.7150/thno.88917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the therapeutic targeting of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in antitumoral phenotypes. However, key mediators suitable for TAM-mediated remodeling of the TME remain poorly understood. Methods: In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing analyses to analyze the landscape of the TME modulated by TAMs in terms of a protumor microenvironment during early tumor development. Results: Our data revealed that the depletion of TAMs leads to a decreased epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signature in cancer cells and a distinct transcriptional state characterized by CD8+ T cell activation. Moreover, notable alterations in gene expression were observed upon the depletion of TAMs, identifying Galectin-1 (Gal-1) as a crucial molecular factor responsible for the observed effect. Gal-1 inhibition reversed immune suppression via the reinvigoration of CD8+ T cells, impairing tumor growth and potentiating immune checkpoint inhibitors in breast tumor models. Conclusion: These results provide comprehensive insights into TAM-mediated early tumor microenvironments and reveal immune evasion mechanisms that can be targeted by Gal-1 to induce antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyewon Chung
- Macrophage Lab, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Institute of Endemic Disease, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, South Korea
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University Medical Research Center (SNUMRC), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Park Gyu-mi
- Macrophage Lab, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Institute of Endemic Disease, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yi Rang Na
- Transdisciplinary Department of Medicine and Advanced Technology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yun-Sang Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongyoon Choi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyeok Seok
- Macrophage Lab, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Institute of Endemic Disease, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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