Copyright
©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2013; 19(47): 8831-8849
Published online Dec 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i47.8831
Published online Dec 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i47.8831
Hierarchical and selective roles of galectins in hepatocarcinogenesis, liver fibrosis and inflammation of hepatocellular carcinoma
María L Bacigalupo, Malena Manzi, María F Troncoso, Institute of Biological Chemistry and Biophysics “Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini” (UBA-CONICET), Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, C1113AAD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Gabriel A Rabinovich, Institute of Biology and Experimental Medicine (CONICET), Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, C1113AAD Buenos Aires, Argentina
Author contributions: Bacigalupo ML and Manzi M contributed to manuscript writing, final revision of the article and figure composing; Rabinovich GA critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content; Troncoso MF contributed to the study idea and design, literature search, figure composing, manuscript writing and, final revision of the article.
Correspondence to: María Fernanda Troncoso, PhD, Institute of Biological Chemistry and Biophysics “Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini” (UBA-CONICET), Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Junín 956, C1113AAD Buenos Aires, Argentina. ma.f.troncoso@gmail.com
Telephone: +54-11-49648290 Fax: +54-11-49625457
Received: August 15, 2013
Revised: November 2, 2013
Accepted: November 18, 2013
Published online: December 21, 2013
Revised: November 2, 2013
Accepted: November 18, 2013
Published online: December 21, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Galectins, a family of glycan-binding proteins, are involved in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Up-regulation of galectin-1, galectin-3 and galectin-4 is observed in HCC cells, whereas galectin-8 and galectin-9 appear to be down-regulated in tumor hepatocytes. This altered expression correlates with tumor growth, HCC cell migration and invasion, tumor aggressiveness, metastasis, postoperative recurrence and poor prognosis. These galectins are also implicated in inflammation- and fibrosis-related liver pathologies.