Iranian Journal of Immunology

Differential Immunohistochemical Expression Pattern of Galectin-3 in Normal and Osteoarthritic Human Articular Cartilage

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mahmoud Orazizadeh 1
Donald M Salter 2

1 Department of Histology, Medical School, Ahwaz Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences (AJUMS), Ahwaz, Iran

2 Department of Pathology, Medical School, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

https://doi.org/10.22034/iji.2005.16844
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have shown that Galectin-3, a member of lectin family, is expressed in developing cartilage in mouse embryo and also in growth plate of long bones.  
Objective: In the present work, the expression pattern of Galectin-3 in normal and various grades of osteoarthritic (OA) human articular cartilage has been studied.  
Methods: Using immunohistochemistry and standard western blotting, the in vivo and in vitro expression pattern of Galectin-3 in normal and OA human articular cartilage were assessed.  
Results: Immunohistochemical studies showed a similar pattern of Galectin-3 expression in normal and mild OA but severe OA showed different strong expression in all zones of human articular cartilage.  
Conclusion: Increased expression pattern of Galectin-3 in advanced stages of OA may occur as a result of the imbalance of chondrocyte homeostasis that occurs in OA cartilage and provides a condition to modify normal chondrocyte to an OA chondroctye.

Keywords

Articular Cartilage
Galectin-3
Osteoarthritis

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