Abstract
Introduction. The aetiology and pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) are essentially unknown. Galectins are carbohydrate-binding lectins involved in a large number of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Little is known about the role of galectins in human UC. In this immunohistochemical exploratory study, both epithelial and inflammatory cell galectin expression were studied in patients with a thoroughly documented clinical history and were correlated with inflammatory activity. Material and Methods. Surgical whole intestinal wall colon specimens from UC patients (n = 22) and controls (n = 10) were studied. Clinical history, pharmacological treatment, and modified Mayo-score were recorded. Tissue inflammation was graded, and sections were stained with antibodies recognizing galectin-1, galectin-2, galectin-3, and galectin-4. Results. Galectin-1 was undetectable in normal and UC colonic epithelium, while galectin-2, galectin-3, and galectin-4 were strongly expressed. A tendency towards diminished epithelial expression with increased inflammatory grade for galectin-2, galectin-3, and galectin-4 was also found. In the inflammatory cells, a strong expression of galectin-2 and a weak expression of galectin-3 were seen. No clear-cut correlation between epithelial galectin expression and severity of the disease was found. Conclusion. Galectin expression in patients with UC seems to be more dependent on disease focality and individual variation than on degree of tissue inflammation.
Highlights
The aetiology and pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) are essentially unknown
A family of soluble carbohydrate-binding proteins, have emerged as one possible therapeutic target in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This is based mainly on experiments in animals and cell culture [5] pointing to potential pathophysiology roles in IBD, the fact that galectins tend to be well tolerable, and the therapeutic effects of galectin inhibitors in inflammatory disease of other tissues
Galectins are synthesized in the cytosol and may have functions there and in the nucleus [7]
Summary
The aetiology and pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) are essentially unknown. Galectins are carbohydrate-binding lectins involved in a large number of physiological and pathophysiological processes. It often starts at young age and lasts throughout life Debilitating symptoms, such as increased frequency of bloody stools, pain, fever, and lack of effective treatment, lead to the need for surgical removal of the whole large intestine in one-third of the patients [2]. For these reasons it is of great interest to understand the molecular mechanism behind the disease in order to identify new targets that can be modified as therapy. Galectins are synthesized in the cytosol and may have functions there and in the nucleus [7]
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