Immunoexpression of galectin-3 and its potential relation to hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in ameloblastomas

• Published in: Biotechnic & histochemistry 2021-05, Vol.96 (4), p.296-301
• Main Authors: Pereira-Prado, V, Vigil-Bastitta, G, Sánchez-Romero, C, Arocena, M, Molina-Frechero, N, González-González, R, Meleti, M, Bologna-Molina, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ameloblastoma; cystic degeneration; galectin-3; HIF-1Α; human; hypoxia; squamous metaplasia
• ISSN: 1052-0295; 1473-7760
• DOI: 10.1080/10520295.2020.1800819

In tumor biology, hypoxia triggers signaling pathways that induce transcription of genes related to angiogenesis, metastasis, glucose metabolism and apoptosis. We investigated the expression of hypoxia related proteins, galectin-3 (Gal-3) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), in conventional (CA) and unicystic ameloblastomas (UA). We applied immunohistochemistry for Gal-3 and HIF-1α to 72 cases of ameloblastoma: 59 cases of CA and 13 cases of unicystic UA. Immunoexpression was evaluated semiquantitatively. Gal-3 expression was observed in 40% of the cases: 23/59 CA and 6/13 UA. HIF-1α immunostaining was observed in 55% of cases: 36/59 CA and 4/13 UA. 19 CA and 2 UA were positive for both markers. Immunostaining was evident in the center of the tumor islands, which exhibited squamous metaplasia or cystic degeneration. The expression of Gal-3 and HIF-1α in ameloblastomas could be interpreted as a response to hypoxic stress. Co-expression of both proteins in CA may suggest a potential interaction that participates in the biological behavior of this ameloblastoma variant.