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Thielert M, Itang ECM, Ammar C, Rosenberger FA, Bludau I, Schweizer L, Nordmann TM, Skowronek P, Wahle M, Zeng W, Zhou X, Brunner A, Richter S, Levesque MP, Theis FJ, Steger M, Mann M. Robust dimethyl-based multiplex-DIA doubles single-cell proteome depth via a reference channel. Mol Syst Biol 2023; 19:e11503. [PMID: 37602975 PMCID: PMC10495816 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202211503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell proteomics aims to characterize biological function and heterogeneity at the level of proteins in an unbiased manner. It is currently limited in proteomic depth, throughput, and robustness, which we address here by a streamlined multiplexed workflow using data-independent acquisition (mDIA). We demonstrate automated and complete dimethyl labeling of bulk or single-cell samples, without losing proteomic depth. Lys-N digestion enables five-plex quantification at MS1 and MS2 level. Because the multiplexed channels are quantitatively isolated from each other, mDIA accommodates a reference channel that does not interfere with the target channels. Our algorithm RefQuant takes advantage of this and confidently quantifies twice as many proteins per single cell compared to our previous work (Brunner et al, PMID 35226415), while our workflow currently allows routine analysis of 80 single cells per day. Finally, we combined mDIA with spatial proteomics to increase the throughput of Deep Visual Proteomics seven-fold for microdissection and four-fold for MS analysis. Applying this to primary cutaneous melanoma, we discovered proteomic signatures of cells within distinct tumor microenvironments, showcasing its potential for precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Thielert
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Ericka CM Itang
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Constantin Ammar
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Florian A Rosenberger
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Isabell Bludau
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Lisa Schweizer
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Thierry M Nordmann
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Patricia Skowronek
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Maria Wahle
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Wen‐Feng Zeng
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Xie‐Xuan Zhou
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Andreas‐David Brunner
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery SciencesBiberach an der RissGermany
| | - Sabrina Richter
- Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental HealthInstitute of Computational BiologyNeuherbergGermany
- TUM School of Life Sciences WeihenstephanTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Zurich, University of Zurich HospitalZurichSwitzerland
| | - Fabian J Theis
- Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental HealthInstitute of Computational BiologyNeuherbergGermany
- TUM School of Life Sciences WeihenstephanTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Martin Steger
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
- New address: NEOsphere Biotechnologies GmbHPlaneggGermany
| | - Matthias Mann
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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2
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Kruk L, Braun A, Cosset E, Gudermann T, Mammadova-Bach E. Galectin functions in cancer-associated inflammation and thrombosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1052959. [PMID: 36873388 PMCID: PMC9981828 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1052959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Galectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that regulate many cellular functions including proliferation, adhesion, migration, and phagocytosis. Increasing experimental and clinical evidence indicates that galectins influence many steps of cancer development by inducing the recruitment of immune cells to the inflammatory sites and modulating the effector function of neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. Recent studies described that different isoforms of galectins can induce platelet adhesion, aggregation, and granule release through the interaction with platelet-specific glycoproteins and integrins. Patients with cancer and/or deep-venous thrombosis have increased levels of galectins in the vasculature, suggesting that these proteins could be important contributors to cancer-associated inflammation and thrombosis. In this review, we summarize the pathological role of galectins in inflammatory and thrombotic events, influencing tumor progression and metastasis. We also discuss the potential of anti-cancer therapies targeting galectins in the pathological context of cancer-associated inflammation and thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linus Kruk
- Walther-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Attila Braun
- Walther-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Erika Cosset
- CRCL, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Thomas Gudermann
- Walther-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Elmina Mammadova-Bach
- Walther-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
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3
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Godefa TM, Derks S, Thijssen VLJL. Galectins in Esophageal Cancer: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235790. [PMID: 36497271 PMCID: PMC9736038 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer is a disease with poor overall survival. Despite advancements in therapeutic options, the treatment outcome of esophageal cancer patients remains dismal with an overall 5-year survival rate of approximately 20 percent. To improve treatment efficacy and patient survival, efforts are being made to identify the factors that underlie disease progression and that contribute to poor therapeutic responses. It has become clear that some of these factors reside in the tumor micro-environment. In particular, the tumor vasculature and the tumor immune micro-environment have been implicated in esophageal cancer progression and treatment response. Interestingly, galectins represent a family of glycan-binding proteins that has been linked to both tumor angiogenesis and tumor immunosuppression. Indeed, in several cancer types, galectins have been identified as diagnostic and/or prognostic markers. However, the role of galectins in esophageal cancer is still poorly understood. Here, we summarize the current literature with regard to the expression and potential functions of galectins in esophageal cancer. In addition, we highlight the gaps in the current knowledge and we propose directions for future research in order to reveal whether galectins contribute to esophageal cancer progression and provide opportunities to improve the treatment and survival of esophageal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tesfay M. Godefa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology & Immunology, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Jaarbeursplein 6, 3521 AL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah Derks
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology & Immunology, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Jaarbeursplein 6, 3521 AL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Victor L. J. L. Thijssen
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology & Immunology, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Radiation Oncology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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T cell-depleted cultured pediatric thymus tissue as a model for some aspects of human age-related thymus involution. GeroScience 2021; 43:1369-1382. [PMID: 33420705 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00301-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human age-related thymus involution is characterized by loss of developing thymocytes and the thymic epithelial network that supports them, with replacement by adipose tissue. The mechanisms that drive these changes are difficult to study in vivo due to constant trafficking to and from the thymus. We hypothesized that the loss of thymocytes that occurs during human thymic organ cultures could model some aspects of thymus involution and begin to identify mechanisms that drive age-related changes in the thymic microenvironment. Potential mechanistically important candidate molecules were initially identified by screening conditioned media from human thymus organ cultures using antibody microarrays. These candidates were further validated using cultured tissue extracts and conditioned media. Results were compared with gene expression studies from a panel of well-characterized (non-cultured) human thymus tissues from human donors aged 5 days to 78 years. L-selectin released into conditioned media was identified as a biomarker for the content of viable thymocytes within the cultured thymus. Levels of the chemokines CCL21 and CXCL12, likely produced by surviving thymic epithelial cells, increased markedly in conditioned media as thymocytes were lost during culture. Native non-cultured thymus from adults older than 18 years also showed a strong trend toward increased CCL21 expression, in conjunction with significant decreases in thymocyte-related mRNAs compared with thymus from subjects younger than 18 years. Together, these findings demonstrate that use of postnatal human thymus organ cultures can model some aspects of human age-related thymic involution.
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Predictive early gene signature during mouse Bhas 42 cell transformation induced by synthetic amorphous silica nanoparticles. Chem Biol Interact 2020; 315:108900. [PMID: 31738905 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.108900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic amorphous silica nanoparticles (SAS) are used widely in industrial applications. These nanoparticles are not classified for their carcinogenicity in humans. However, some data still demonstrate a potential carcinogenic risk of these compounds in humans. The Bhas 42 cell line was developed to screen chemicals, as tumor-initiators or -promoters according to their ability to trigger cell-to-cell transformation, in a cell transformation assay. In the present study, we performed unsupervised transcriptomic analysis after exposure of Bhas 42 cells to NM-203 SAS as well as to positive (Min-U-Sil 5® crystalline silica microparticles, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) and negative (diatomaceous earth) control compounds. We identified a common gene signature for 21 genes involved in the early stage of the SAS- Min-U-Sil 5®- or TPA-induced cell transformation. These genes were related to cell proliferation (over expression) and cell adhesion (under expression). Among them, 12 were selected on the basis of their potential impact on cell transformation. RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to confirm the transcriptomic data. Moreover, similar gene alterations were found when Bhas 42 cells were treated with two other transforming SAS. In conclusion, the results obtained in the current study highlight a 12-gene signature that could be considered as a potential early "bio-marker" of cell transformation induced by SAS and perhaps other chemicals.
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Wu NL, Liu FT. The expression and function of galectins in skin physiology and pathology. Exp Dermatol 2019; 27:217-226. [PMID: 29427464 DOI: 10.1111/exd.13512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The galectin family comprises β-galactoside-binding proteins widely expressed in many organisms. There are at least 16 family members, which can be classified into three groups based on their carbohydrate-recognition domains. Pleiotropic functions of different galectins in physiological and pathological processes through extracellular or intracellular actions have been revealed. In the skin, galectins are expressed in a variety of cells, including keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts, dendritic cells, lymphocytes, macrophages and endothelial cells. Expression of specific galectins is reported to affect cell status, such as activation or death, and regulate the interaction between different cell types or between cells and the extracellular matrix. In vitro cellular studies, in vivo animal studies and studies of human clinical material have revealed the pathophysiologic roles of galectins in the skin. The pathogenesis of diverse non-malignant skin disorders, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, contact dermatitis and wound healing, as well as skin cancers, such as melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous haematologic malignancy can be regulated by different galectins. Revelation of biological roles of galectins in skin may pave the way to future development of galectin-based therapeutic strategies for skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan-Lin Wu
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Dermatology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Tong Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Galectin-7 in Epithelial Homeostasis and Carcinomas. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18122760. [PMID: 29257082 PMCID: PMC5751359 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18122760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Galectins are small unglycosylated soluble lectins distributed both inside and outside the cells. They share a conserved domain for the recognition of carbohydrates (CRD). Although galectins have a common affinity for β-galatosides, they exhibit different binding preferences for complex glycans. First described twenty years ago, galectin-7 is a prototypic galectin, with a single CRD, able to form divalent homodimers. This lectin, which is mainly expressed in stratified epithelia, has been described in epithelial tissues as being involved in apoptotic responses, in proliferation and differentiation but also in cell adhesion and migration. Most members of the galectins family have been associated with cancer biology. One of the main functions of galectins in cancer is their immunomodulating potential and anti-angiogenic activity. Indeed, galectin-1 and -3, are already targeted in clinical trials. Another relevant function of galectins in tumour progression is their ability to regulate cell migration and cell adhesion. Among these galectins, galectin-7 is abnormally expressed in various cancers, most prominently in carcinomas, and is involved in cancer progression and metastasis but its precise functions in tumour biology remain poorly understood. In this issue, we will focus on the physiological functions of galectin-7 in epithelia and present the alterations of galectin-7 expression in carcinomas with the aim to describe its possible functions in tumour progression.
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Metri R, Mohan A, Nsengimana J, Pozniak J, Molina-Paris C, Newton-Bishop J, Bishop D, Chandra N. Identification of a gene signature for discriminating metastatic from primary melanoma using a molecular interaction network approach. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17314. [PMID: 29229936 PMCID: PMC5725601 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17330-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the biological factors that are characteristic of metastasis in melanoma remains a key approach to improving treatment. In this study, we seek to identify a gene signature of metastatic melanoma. We configured a new network-based computational pipeline, combined with a machine learning method, to mine publicly available transcriptomic data from melanoma patient samples. Our method is unbiased and scans a genome-wide protein-protein interaction network using a novel formulation for network scoring. Using this, we identify the most influential, differentially expressed nodes in metastatic as compared to primary melanoma. We evaluated the shortlisted genes by a machine learning method to rank them by their discriminatory capacities. From this, we identified a panel of 6 genes, ALDH1A1, HSP90AB1, KIT, KRT16, SPRR3 and TMEM45B whose expression values discriminated metastatic from primary melanoma (87% classification accuracy). In an independent transcriptomic data set derived from 703 primary melanomas, we showed that all six genes were significant in predicting melanoma specific survival (MSS) in a univariate analysis, which was also consistent with AJCC staging. Further, 3 of these genes, HSP90AB1, SPRR3 and KRT16 remained significant predictors of MSS in a joint analysis (HR = 2.3, P = 0.03) although, HSP90AB1 (HR = 1.9, P = 2 × 10-4) alone remained predictive after adjusting for clinical predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Metri
- IISc Mathematics Initiative (IMI), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Abhilash Mohan
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Jérémie Nsengimana
- Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Joanna Pozniak
- Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Carmen Molina-Paris
- Department of Applied Mathematics, School of Mathematics, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Julia Newton-Bishop
- Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - David Bishop
- Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Nagasuma Chandra
- IISc Mathematics Initiative (IMI), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
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9
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Chang WA, Tsai MJ, Kuo PL, Hung JY. Role of galectins in lung cancer. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:5077-5084. [PMID: 29113148 PMCID: PMC5662908 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide and is also associated with a poor prognosis. As in numerous other types of cancer, galectins have been demonstrated to be involved in the progression of lung cancer. Galectins belong to a superfamily of lectins, which are carbohydrate-binding proteins. There are at least 15 members in the galectin family, however, only galectin-1, −2, −3, −4, −7, −8, −9, −10, −12, and −13 are found in humans. Galectins are able to mediate interactions between cells, including homotypic and heterotypic interactions; they also facilitate the bindings between cells and extracellular matrix components. These cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, as well as the galectin signaling on the cell surface, are able to modulate signaling pathways and thereby influence cellular functions and behaviors. Galectin-1, −3, −4, −7, −8 and −9 are associated with lung cancer. These galectins are associated with tumor invasion, migration, metastasis and progression, and may serve important roles in the tumor microenvironment of lung cancer. The majority of galectins are associated with the progression of lung cancer, with the exception of galectin-9, which is associated with enhanced anticancer immunity. Therefore, galectins may be potential targets for developing novel lung cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-An Chang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ming-Ju Tsai
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Po-Lin Kuo
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Jen-Yu Hung
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
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11
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Thijssen VL, Heusschen R, Caers J, Griffioen AW. Galectin expression in cancer diagnosis and prognosis: A systematic review. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2015; 1855:235-47. [PMID: 25819524 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Galectins are a family of proteins that bind to specific glycans thereby deciphering the information captured within the glycome. In the last two decades, several galectin family members have emerged as versatile modulators of tumor progression. This has initiated the development and preclinical assessment of galectin-targeting compounds. With the first compounds now entering clinical trials it is pivotal to gain insight in the diagnostic and prognostic value of galectins in cancer as this will allow a more rational selection of the patients that might benefit most from galectin-targeted therapies. Here, we present a systematic review of galectin expression in human cancer patients. Malignant transformation is frequently associated with altered galectin expression, most notably of galectin-1 and galectin-3. In most cancers, increased galectin-1 expression is associated with poor prognosis while elevated galectin-9 expression is emerging as a marker of favorable disease outcome. The prognostic value of galectin-3 appears to be tumor type dependent and the other galectins require further investigation. Regarding the latter, additional studies using larger patient cohorts are essential to fully unravel the diagnostic and prognostic value of galectin expression. Furthermore, to better compare different findings, consensus should be reached on how to assess galectin expression, not only with regard to localization within the tissue and within cellular compartments but also regarding alternative splicing and genomic variations. Finally, linking galectin expression and function to aberrant glycosylation in cancer cells will improve our understanding of how these versatile proteins can be exploited for diagnostic, prognostic and even therapeutic purposes in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor L Thijssen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Roy Heusschen
- Laboratory of Hematology, GIGA-Research, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Jo Caers
- Laboratory of Hematology, GIGA-Research, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Vladoiu MC, Labrie M, St-Pierre Y. Intracellular galectins in cancer cells: potential new targets for therapy (Review). Int J Oncol 2014; 44:1001-14. [PMID: 24452506 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of galectin expression is frequently observed in cancer tissues. Such an abnormal expression pattern often correlates with aggressiveness and relapse in many types of cancer. Because galectins have the ability to modulate functions that are important for cell survival, migration and metastasis, they also represent attractive targets for cancer therapy. This has been well-exploited for extracellular galectins, which bind glycoconjugates expressed on the surface of cancer cells. Although the existence of intracellular functions of galectins has been known for many years, an increasing number of studies indicate that these proteins can also alter tumor progression through their interaction with intracellular ligands. In fact, in some instances, the interactions of galectins with their intracellular ligands seem to occur independently of their carbohydrate recognition domain. Such findings call for a change in the basic assumptions, or paradigms, concerning the activity of galectins in cancer and may force us to revisit our strategies to develop galectin antagonists for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yves St-Pierre
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
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