Galectin-3: a novel protein in cerebellar hemangioblastoma

Abstract

Hemangioblastoma (HB), a rare neoplasm of uncertain histogenesis, is characterized histologically by the presence of vacuolated; lipid-containing cells 'stromal cells' and a well developed, fine capillary network. Stromal cells are the neoplastic component of this tumor. Five-um sections were stained using streptavidin- biotin immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescent techniques. The stromal cells were uniformly "HIF-1α, Galectin-3, VEGF, VEGFR, WT-1, and bcl2," positive. Endothelial cells but not stromal cells were uniformly immunoreactive to CD31. Co-localization of HIF-1α with galectin-3 and VEGF as well as galectin-3 with VEGF in stromal cells is confirmed by immunofluorescent technique. In conclusion, the development of HB is multi-factorial and the expression of galectin-3 correlates with the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF. Galectin-3 can be used as a marker for the diagnosis of HB as well as it can be a valuable candidate for future targeting immunotherapy.

Keywords: CNS neoplasms; HIF; galectin-3; hemangioblastoma.

Figure 1

Cerebellar Hemangioblastoma. A: Clusters and thick trabeculae of cells with clear cytoplasm and uniform round nuclei (thin arrow) surrounded by rich capillary net work (thick arrow), X400, H&E. B: Nuclear expression of HIF 1α in all stromal cells (thick arrow) and some endothelial cells (thin arrow), streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method, X400. C: Nuclear (thin arrow) and cytoplasmic (thick arrow) expression of galectin-3 in stromal cells and some endothelial cells, streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method, X400. D: Cytoplasmic expression of VEGF in stromal cells (thin arrow and some endothelial cells (thick arrow), streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method, X400.

Figure 2

Expression of VEGFR, WT-1, CD31 and bcl2 in HB. A: Cytoplasmic expression of VEGFR in stromal cells (thick arrow), streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method, X400. B: Nuclear expression of WT-1 protein in all stromal cells (thick arrow), streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method, X400. C: cytoplasmic and membranous expression of CD31 in endothelial cells, streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method, X400. D: cytoplasmic expression of bcl2 in stromal cells (thick arrow), streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method, X400.

Figure 3

HIF 1α and Galectin-3 double labeling. A: Nuclear expression of HIF 1α in stromal cells (arrow head), Rhodamine, IF, X400. B: Nuclear (arrow head) and cytoplasmic (thick arrow) expression of galectin-3 in stromal cells, FITC, IF, X400. C: Co-expression of HIF 1α and galectin-3 in all stromal cells. There is nuclear co-localization of HIF 1α and galectin-3 giving a yellow color (arrow head). There is cytoplasmic expression of galectin-3 (thick arrow), IF, Rhodamine-FITC double labeling, X400. D, Nuclear expression of HIF 1α in stromal cells (arrow head), Rhodamine, IF, X1000. E. Nuclear (arrow head) and cytoplasmic (thick arrow) expression of galectin-3 in stromal cells, FITC, IF, X1000. F. Co-expression of HIF 1α and galectin-3 in all stromal cells. There is nuclear co-localization of HIF 1α and galectin-3 giving a yellow color ( arrow head). There is cytoplasmic expression of galectin-3 (thick arrow), IF, Rhodamine-FITC double labeling, X1000.

Figure 4

HIF 1α and VEGF double labeling. A: Nuclear expression of HIF 1α in stromal cells (arrow head), IF, Rhodamine, X600. B: cytoplasmic (arrow head) expression of VEGF in stromal cells, IF, FITC, X600. C: Co-expression of HIF 1α and VEGF in all stromal cells. There is nuclear expression of HIF 1α (arrow head). There is cytoplasmic expression of VEGF (thin arrow). There is cytoplasmic and peri-nuclear co-localization of HIF 1α and VEGF (thick arrow) giving a yellow color, IF, Rhodamine-FITC double labeling, X600. D: Nuclear expression of HIF 1α in stromal cells (arrow head), IF, Rhodamine, X1000. E: Cytoplasmic (arrow head) expression of VEGF in stromal cells, IF, FITC, X1000. F: Co-expression of HIF 1α and VEGF in all stromal cells. There is nuclear expression of HIF 1α (arrow head). There is cytoplasmic expression of VEGF (thin arrow). There is cytoplasmic and peri-nuclear co-localization of HIF 1α and VEGF (thick arrow) giving a yellow color, IF, Rhodamine-FITC double labeling, X1000.

Figure 5

Galectin-3 and VEGF double labeling. A: Cytoplasmic (arrow head) and nuclear (thin arrow) expression of Galectin-3 in stromal IF, FITC, X400. B: Cytoplasmic expression of VEGF (arrow head) by all stromal cells, IF, Rhodamine, X400. C: Co-expression of galectin-3 and VEGF in all stromal cells. There is cytoplasmic co-localization of galectin-3 and VEGF (arrow head) in stromal cells giving a yellow color, IF, Rhodamine-FITC double labeling, X400. D: Cytoplasmic (arrow head) and nuclear (thin arrow) expression of Galectin-3 in one stromal cell, IF, FITC, X10000. E: Cytoplasmic expression of VEGF (arrow head) in one stromal cell, IF, Rhodamine X10000. F: Co-expression of galectin-3 and VEGF in one stromal cell. There is cytoplasmic co-localization of galectin-3 and VEGF (arrow head) giving a yellow color, IF, Rhodamine-FITC double labeling, X10000.